Faculty
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Penny Steen, MS Office: 25 West Independence Way,Suite P,RM 219 |
Current Position:
Lecturer
Education & Training
B.S. Physical Education (Fitness Concentration) University of Rhode Island, Secondary Concentration: Psychology
M .S. Physical Education (Exercise Science) University of Rhode Island
Honors
- Golden Key Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi
- Nominated for URI Foundation “Teaching Excellence” Award
Courses Taught
KIN 425 Fitness and Wellness Program Development
KIN 275 Introduction to Exercise Science
KIN 123 Foundations of Health
KIN 172/272 First Aid/ First Aid Instructor
Professional Experience
Lecturer: University of Rhode Island
Department of Kinesiology, Kingston, RI
Instructor: Independence University (Formerly, California College of Health Science) 2005-2006
Department of Health Promotion, Teach graduate-level on-line distance education courses: HWP 628 Exercise and Fitness HWP 631 Stress and Health
Director of Training and Education: Pro Health, Inc. 1997-2005
Pro Health, Inc., Providence, RI Manage training and education programs for all Pro Health Corporate Fitness sites in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Colorado. Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate undergraduate student interns. Write quarterly training and education newsletter for staff nationwide. Revised company fitness assessment training manual.
Fitness/Wellness Educator / Certification Specialist: AFAA 1984-present
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, Sherman Oaks, CA Instruct courses and workshops in: Strength Training Principles and Practices Personal Fitness Training Group Exercise – Aerobics, Step Aerobics, Pilates-based training, Yoga Special populations – Women’s Midlife Fitness, Metabolic Syndrome, Pre-natal, Children’s Fitness, Senior Fitness Injury prevention Attended “best practices in teaching” programs for Certification Specialists.
Fitness/Wellness Educator/Certification Specialist: FRA 1984-present
Fitness Resource Associates, Needham, MA Instruct courses and workshops in: Yoga Personal Training Group Exercise
American College of Sports Medicine 2005-2006
Instruct Personal Trainer Certification Preparation Course
Continuing Education Provider: PENNergY! 1990-present
Owner of PENNergY! Fitness/Wellness Education and Consulting Services, RI Approved provider of continuing education for certified group exercise instructors, certified personal trainers, and yoga instructors.
FITNESS MANAGEMENT
Corporate Fitness Manager: Pro Health, Inc. 1998-2005
GTECH Corporation, West Greenwich, RI Manage Corporate Fitness Facility. Develop, implement and supervise employee wellness programs. Develop and implement annual health fair. Design and oversee fitness programs for fitness center members. Developing Pro Health Intervention Program to target high-risk employees. Design incentive and retention programs. Evaluate equipment needs for fitness center.
Corporate Fitness Manager: Pro Health, Inc. 1997-1998
Fleet Bank, Boston, MA. Executed start up and managed new corporate fitness center. Developed floor plans, selected equipment for facility. Developed and implemented member recruitment programs. Developed and implemented incentive and retention programs. Revised company fitness profile protocol and manual.
Corporate Fitness Manager, Fitcorp 1994-1995
Fitcorp, Boston, MA Corporate Aerobics Program Director for 6 public and 7 corporate centers. Managed quality control and promotion of aerobics program. Recruited, trained and supervised all group exercise instructors. Taught fitness classes for underprivileged children for community reach-out program in West Roxbury, MA.
Commercial Fitness Manager: Gold’s Gym 1996-1997
Gold’s Gym, Westborough, MA Developed, implemented, and managed Group Exercise and Personal Training programs. Recruited, trained, and supervised trainers and instructors. Managed budget and payroll for department and developed employee incentive programs.
Commercial Fitness Manager: Fitness, Etcetera 1994-1995
Fitness, Etcetera for Women, Natick, MA Managed Group Exercise Program
CLINICAL FITNESS
Cardiac Rehabilitation Graduate Assistant 1991-1993
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI Administered stress tests and measured pulmonary function and cholesterol levels. Monitored ECG and measured blood pressure for cardiac patients during exercise. Designed exercise prescriptions for special populations. Supervised and trained undergraduates as they conducted laboratory procedures.
COMMUNITY FITNESS
Instructor for “EXERLIFE” Adult Fitness Program 1991-1993
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI Trained in VO2 testing, fitness assessment, programming and record keeping. Supervised and trained undergraduates as they conducted laboratory procedures.
GROUP EXERCISE CLASS INSTRUCTION
Group Exercise Instructor 1978-present
Numerous Fitness Centers throughout RI and MA. High and/or Low Impact Aerobics; Step Aerobics; Mat/Pilates-based; Resistance Training (Including Tubes and Bands): Weighted Low Impact Aerobics: Slide; YOGA; Ball; Cardio-Kick Box, and Kid's Cardio Fitness.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Advisory Board Member, Holyoke Community College 2000-present
Selected to review curriculum for new Associate in Science Degree and Certificate Programs in Health, Fitness, and Nutrition to gain approval from the Massachusetts State Board of Higher Education. Appointed to Board of Advisors to provide recommendations that ensure best practices and programs.
PUBLICATIONS
(Abstract) “Energy expenditure using lateral movement trainers” Medicine Science and Sports in Exercise (1994)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) New England American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) American Association of University Women (AAUW)
PRESENTATIONS
“Woman in Charge: Introduction to Yoga” American Association of University Women/Women’s Sports Foundation (2003)
“Practical Skills for Stress Management “ New England American College of Sports Medicine (2001)
“Rhythmic Resistance Routines” “Kinesiology Games” “Aerobics Choreography” “Slide Technique and Choreography” Fitness Firm (1995-2003)
“Exercise in Primary Care: Strategies to Get Your Patients Moving” Brown University School of Medicine/American Heart Association (1999)
“Slide Research, Technique and Choreography” Italian Aerobics Association (1995) Sara’s City Workout/Atlantamania (1994)
“Energy Expenditure using Lateral Movement Trainers” (Poster Presentation) American College of Sports Medicine (1994)
“Smart Start for Safe and Effective Exercise” Rhode Island Nurses (1994)
“Aerobics Patterns” APEX/Aerobics and Fitness Association (1986)
CERTIFICATIONS and SPECIALIZED TRAINING
American Council on Exercise: Aerobics Instructor, Personal Trainer
American College of Sports Medicine: Certified Personal Trainer
Aerobics and Fitness Association of American: Certified in Primary, Step, Low Impact/Weighted Workout, Overweight/Overfat; Personal Trainer; Resistance Training Specialist; Emergency Response. Training in Mat Science, Midlife Fitness for Women, Injury Prevention.
Fitness Recourse Associates: Certified Personal Trainer, Resistance Training Specialist, Yoga Teacher. Trained in Senior Yoga, Integrated Yoga for Wellness, Pilates-based Exercise, Asana Clinics.
American Red Cross: First Aid, CPR/AED Instructor Trainer
YogaFit: Certified Yoga Instructor (level 4); training in Prenatal, Kids' and Seniors' Yoga
While teaching undergraduate classes during my assistantship at URI, I realized a true passion for teaching in academia. I am privileged to have the opportunity to play out my ambition to return to teach in this setting many years later. Prior to joining the faculty at URI in the fall of 2005, I had been teaching fitness and wellness adult education programs for over 20 years. I have worked in clinical fitness (cardiac rehabilitation and maintenance), as well as commercial, corporate, and community fitness/wellness settings. I have been a Certification Specialist and Continuing Education Provider for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America since 1984. This affiliation has allowed me to travel, present workshops, teach certification classes, and to network with many professional fitness/wellness educators all over the United States, Europe, and Brazil. I have also been an authorized trainer for an approved provider of Personal Trainer certification preparation courses for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
My mission in pedagogy is to inspire the desire for life-long learning. My goal is for students to leave each course with the desire to learn more than what they read in the text or were exposed to in the classroom. My experience provides a valuable reference in helping students realize the practical application of their classroom studies. I look for opportunities to use humor, demonstration and role-playing to bring the classroom to life.
I am a firm believer in the preventive benefits of physical activity. Our personal choice to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors not only impacts our own lives, but lives of our children and others as we lead by example. I am so grateful to be able-bodied. I am deeply inspired by my son who is currently pursuing his doctorate in Psychology. Though he is physically challenged with Cerebral Palsy, he demonstrates immeasurable strength as he manages the inconvenience of needing crutches to maneuver through day-to-day tasks. My 10 year old daughter who loves gymnastics, ballet, ice skating and snowboarding, is also an inspiration as she reminds me to dance and play everyday….
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**National Strength and Conditioning Association and the ERP Logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the NSCA in the U.S.A. and/or other countries.
Rhode Island State Clinic
April 13, 2013 CLICK HERE to learn more
2013 Kinesiology Internship Meeting
Students need to attend three meetings during the spring semester if they plan to go out in the summer or in the fall CLICK HERE to learn more
2013 KIN585 Summer Course
Come join KIN585 Disability Sport this summer, session I May 20-June 21 CLICK HERE to learn more
Strength & Conditioning Program
For successfully meeting establised criteria, the National Strength and Conditioning Association officially recognizes University of Rhode Island’s Program in Strength and Conditioning.
Kinesiology Graduate Research Night
Every year, the Department of Kinesiology hosts a graduate research night CLICK HERE to learn more
Kinesiology in the News
Kinesiology is a broad field encompassing all facets of human movement. CLICK HERE to learn more
HSS Living and Learning Community
HSS Living and Learning Community
in Butterfield Hall is a great opportunity for Kinesiology students to network with each other during their first year on campus.
