Dr. Dallas Jackson

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?
My current teaching assignments include the following courses: (a) introduction to adapted physical activity, an undergraduate course, (b) biomechanics for individuals with disabilities, an undergraduate course, (c) program design in adapted physical activity (APA), an undergraduate course, (d) advanced study of disability in physical activity, a graduate course, and (e) lifespan, disability and physical activity, a graduate course.
I take pride in knowing that my courses involve a student-centered approach to learning, infused with technology, presentations, and assignments that foster students’ ability to critically think. I am proud that my courses offer students the ability to gain a content knowledge through lecture, as well as, experiential learning through a practicum-based (i.e., hands on) experience. My goal is to have students develop an understanding of various health conditions (i.e., disabilities) that individuals may have or acquire throughout the lifespan, as well as, apply that knowledge through developing and implementing active living community-based physical activity programs.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?
As two major components of the professoriate (i.e., service, scholarship), I strive to maintain an outstanding level of scholarly and service-oriented projects. My research interests include evidence-based physical activity for adjudicated youth and also increasing physical activity participation of individuals with disabilities. Within the last three years, I have been fortunate enough to give two international, two national, one regional, one state, and four local presentations. In addition, I have had numerous peer-reviewed publications. Moreover, I have really enjoyed being professionally engaged with the field of study that I am passionate about (i.e., adapted physical activity), as well as, university through serving on numerous national, university, and departmental committees. I served as the APSCUF faculty representative to the Slippery Rock Student Government Association as a faculty senator. I also served as a member of the President’s Commission on Disability Issues. This was a very rewarding experience. I really enjoyed and was honored by being able to serve on a commission that deals so closely with my passion. That is, reducing barriers for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, I served as vice president of Slippery Rock University’s Black Faculty and Staff Association, an organization that is vitally important for the contribution of diversity to the Slippery Rock University campus. I continue to serve at the national level and am currently the secretary for AAHPERD’s Adapted Physical Activity Council which is a part of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation. I was recently honored as the recipient of the Pennsylvania-based Talk Magazine’s Minority Achiever’s Award, and humbled to be recognized by my peers. I am most proud of the level of collaboration and learning that I gain through interaction with my peers on these various projects, and that I am contributing.

What student success stories can you share?
I can think of numerous student success stories of both my undergraduate and graduate students. However, one of the greatest honors that was bestowed upon me during the 2012-2013 academic year was the opportunity to be a faculty presenter at the Outstanding Graduate Student Honors Award Reception. One of my students/graduate assistant, Brad Martinez, a person whom I had the opportunity to work with closely during my fourth year, was an award recipient. I took great pleasure in reflecting back on our faculty-student relationship and his growth as a graduate student while developing his award presentation. 

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?
I really enjoy remaining conditioned through various health-related fitness activities. However, the most rewarding and valuable thing for me to do during “time off” and/or school break is spending time, whether through travel or staying home, with my wife Marisa and two daughters, Phoenix and Sydney.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
I really appreciate the opportunity to interact and collaborate with my students and colleagues at the Rock. So far, every year that I have spent at the Rock has provided me with a variety of very rich experiences.