Kinesiology Club President Recognized with Regional Award

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Academic excellence, work ethic, and campus involvement, earned DeJeanne “DJ” Adams, senior Kinesiology major, recognition as the 2019 Major of the Year for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi by the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (TACSM).

Adams, whose concentration is in Pre-Allied Health, has been involved in the Kinesiology Club for two years, first as secretary and now as president. She is a scholarship recipient, has been on the Dean’s List since 2015, and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Adams is also a research assistant and worked on a study called “The Biomechanics of a Javelin Throw.” Adams’ future plans include earning a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.

“It was humbling to receive the TACSM Major of the Year Award,” said Adams. “Being involved with my school and community is important to me. So, by receiving this award I felt like I was being recognized for all my hard work.”

Outside of the classroom, Adams is employed as a part-time physical therapy technician, has volunteered with the Big Event since 2016, and was named Chartwell’s Best Student Worker in 2016.

“DJ characterizes all that you wish for all of your students,” said Dr. Misty Kesterson, clinical associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology. “She doesn’t always know the answer, but she is willing to look for it, ask questions, and seek out alternatives to find the answer. The Kinesiology faculty are extremely excited for her.”

TACSM focuses on promoting excellence while their annual meeting brings together students, industry professionals, and educators for lectures, presentations, meetings, and mixers for the promotion and advancement of medical and other scientific knowledge related to sport and exercise. This year’s TACSM meeting, held Feb. 28 through March 1 in Fort Worth, was attended by numerous students who are encouraged by faculty to participate and develop professional networks while still in school.

“The TACSM conference is a great opportunity to introduce the professional organization to the students at the regional level but also to acquaint them to the national organization,” said Kesterson. “It is geared more to the students, allowing them the chance to present their research at the graduate or undergraduate level and to see what research is being done around the state at other schools in the field of kinesiology. Students are also able to interact with other students, health professionals, educators, and researchers in the exercise science realm.”

For more information

The Kinesiology Department offers a master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree with multiple concentrations and minor. Students in the Kinesiology program are taught and mentored by award-winning faculty, have opportunities to assist with research, and are provided workplace exposure through internships. A&M-Corpus Christi is one of only 19 institutions worldwide with National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recognition at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Learn more at http://kinesiology.tamucc.edu/.