Dr. Wenhao Liu

Dr. Liu is being recognized as a new FACSM at a formal FACSM reception of the 2014 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting on May 30, 2014 in Orlando, FL.
 

1. What is your educational background and where have you worked previously?

I graduated from Wuhan Sports University in China in 1979 as an undergraduate student majoring in physical education (PE), and got a Master degree in PE in 1988 at the same university. I obtained a second Master degree in motor behavior from University of Northern Iowa in 1997, and the Ph.D. in sports pedagogy from University of Georgia in 2002. With respect to my work experience, I taught PE at the Wuhan Sports University in China for 14 years (1979-1993), and then spent one year (1993-1994) as a visiting scholar at Lund University, Sweden, focusing on motor behavior research. After obtaining my Ph.D. in the US, I worked at Sage Colleges (in New York) teaching PE again for two years (2002-2004), and then began to work at Slippery Rock University (Physical and Health Department) since 2004. This year (2019) is my 15^th year of work at SRU.

2. What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?

SRU has had a good reputation of “Excellence” for a long time, and this reputation of excellence derived from the excellence in SRU’s Physical Education Department. For a long period of time in last century SRU was the only university in Pennsylvania offering PE program and producing PE teachers for public schools. At the same time many PE-related units, programs, or departments have been derived from the PE Department. As a result, SRU now operates many PE-related departments / programs such as Sports Management Department, Dance Department, Exercise and Rehabilitative Science Department (including Athletic Training Program), Physical Therapy School, Public Health Department, and Adapted Physical Activity Program, etc.  Students enrolled in these departments and programs constitute approximately 20% of the total enrollment in SRU. Given SRU’s long history and reputation in PE, it was definitely the place for me to choose and work in.    

3. What has been you most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor?

University professor is a job that allows an individual for professional development continuously for the lifetime in each of the three aspects: teaching, scholarship, and service, which is a great rewarding experience for me. I have taught more than twenty different courses in my career, each strengthening and expanding my knowledge base and expertise. In scholarship area, I have authored and coauthored one monograph, two chapters, 55 peer-reviewed full-length articles, more than 60 peer-reviewed research abstracts in high-tier SCI/SSCI research journals, more than 130 presentations (85+ presentations made at national or international conferences of professional societies). In addition, I have been inducted into Fellow of American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and Research Fellow of SHAPE America (RFSA). With respect to service experience, I have been worked as an Associated Editor for Quarterly Research for Exercise and Sport (the flagship research journal in PE, physical activity, and health in the US) for six years; as an Assistant Editor for another two international research journals for two years respectively; as a reviewer for a dozen of research journals, a couple of textbooks, and different national and international conferences approximately 15 times. Finally, I have been served as the President of International Chinese Society for Physical Activities and Health. All these scholarship achievements and service experiences contribute to my teaching as well. That is, they make me always feel confident and knowledgeable to be able to provide my students with best and evidence-based theories, models, and practices in terms of physical activity and health promotion.    

4. What advice would you give to students who are entering or are currently in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students in general?

My advice is that, in addition to keep a good QPA in academic studies, students should get involved in as many professional activities as possible. The reason is simple: at the time of graduation and job hunting, everybody will have a bachelor degree, and many will have a decent QPA. So what will make you stand out among your classmates? You must have many additional professional experiences, involvements, and achievements in order to be considered outstanding or excellent. Many such opportunities are available and near you. Take Physical and Health Department as an example, there are quite several student organizations (APA Council, Aquatics Club, FIT Club, PHL Epsilon Kappa, PAFM Club, SWE Club, etc.) organizing professional activities and services, there are travel support program for students to attend local and national conferences, and there are faculty members who are interested in getting students in their research projects, and more. Get involved!

5. What were you like as a college student?

I was always in the top 5% among my classmates in terms of academic performance, professional development, ambition and motivation, and self-regulation. I still remember how I was worried when the classroom power was temporarily gone (because I had to stop my reading or study), and how I decided not to view a new, popular film just because viewing a film would “waste” my two hours of study time. I believe all my professional endeavors have been paid off. Setting an ambitious, long-term goal would lead you to a sustainable professional development for the lifetime.