Personalizing learning and building rapport: Assistant Professor Mark Blegen

He teaches exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, fitness assessment and strength and conditioning through real-life application.

Blegen takes time to discuss his vision for exercise and sport science at St. Kate’s and the program becoming one, if not the very first, of its kind accredited in Minnesota.

Blegen’s dynamic philosophy of education may be one reason why he was recently named a Fellow by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) at its national conference in Indianapolis.

The highest honor given by ACSM, the award recognizes "distinguished professional achievement in research and/or service in the field of exercise science and sports medicine." Blegen is one of 18 in the Midwest region to hold this honor.

Q: You were recently named a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Could you tell us more about the award?

BLEGEN: It just means I’m “old.” Well, actually, the ACSM is the governing body for exercise science and exercise physiology in the United States. Fellowship within the ACSM recognizes distinguished service and/or research to one’s college. It is a way to honor those people who have served and done research with distinction.

Q: Who are other notable recipients of the award?

BLEGEN: A lot of the Fellows are big-time researchers doing cutting edge research in fitness, exercise and genetics. Names would be Priscilla Clarkson, Russell Payton and William Roberts from the University of Minnesota. Those people have been leading the way for the last 30 years. I definitely consider it an honor to be named among them.

Q: What qualifications had to be met for you to be eligible for this award?

BLEGEN: The biggest thing they look at in determining a fellowship is the strength of the letters of recommendations from current Fellows. The other criteria I had to meet were a to fulfill a certain number of publications, a certain number of presentations, service to the college —whether it’s serving on national committees or regional committees. The letters were the most important.

Q: After 15 years of being away from the Midwest, why move from Massachusetts to Minnesota?

BLEGEN: That’s a good question. Springfield College, which is very well known for exercise science and physiology programs, was a great place for me to learn as a young professor. Being brought up in Minnesota and a product of St. Olaf and the MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), it was a goal of Kristin’s and mine to come back to the Midwest.

It’s a combination of coming back “home” in a sense, the draw of family here, but then also the opportunity to teach at a school like St. Kate’s that has a strong, private liberal arts education focus.

Q: This is your first year here at St. Kate’s. What is your role in the department?

BLEGEN: I am an assistant professor. I teach a lot of the classes within the major, such as Exercise Physiology. I’m also the advisor for the Exercise Science Club. One of my biggest roles right now is to rewrite the curriculum and work on what’s called a self-study, so our program can become accredited. And advising, which is probably the most important.

Q: What do you see as the strengths of the EXSS program here at St. Kate’s?

BLEGEN: I think we’ve got a great program. One of our strengths is in preparing a lot of students to go on to advanced physical therapy programs.

I think the practical aspect of our program is also a strength. Hands-on activities, combined with small class sizes and the internship opportunities, make our program strong. Hopefully we can emphasize these strengths and accentuate them even more as we revamp our curriculum.

Q: What is your vision for the EXSS program five years from now?

BLEGEN: We have a five-year plan. First of all, to be accredited. That allows potential students, current students and even employers who are hiring our students to know that our program has met the highest professional standard. Part of that — our curriculum — will look a lot different; it is constantly evolving.

It would be wonderful to potentially look at graduate programs such as master's-level programs in exercise health, women’s health and fitness, and possibly an associate degree. Those are the kinds of things that I have on my agenda.

Q: What are the advantages for a woman in the exercise and sport science field?

BLEGEN: If you look at personal trainers and especially strength and conditioning coaches, historically it has been dominated by men. There’s a higher emphasis on fitness now and I think a lot of women, in particular, are looking for guidance from a trainer or a coach. I think a lot of times they feel more comfortable with a woman.

The job prospects in terms of the fitness industry have really grown for women, so that’s a definite advantage. Even in terms of strength and conditioning, we’re starting to train athletes at a younger age and we definitely need women in those roles.

I also think in a certain sense women understand women. I can train women in a certain way, but I think a female trainer can bring something different to the table. It’s really a growing area especially for women.

Q: What experiences/knowledge would you like to see your students have when they graduate?

BLEGEN: The biggest thing would be the practical experience. We can teach you certain things in classroom and in lab, but it’s the hands on, day-to-day stuff that really becomes important and will help students become professionals.

Whether that is gained through an internship, helping one of the professors in the department with research or presenting at a conference, the practical aspect is very important.

Rebecca Zenefski ’09, majoring in exercise and sport science, is a student photographer and web intern in the Marketing and Communications office.