CASCE Leadership & Governance

Colin Wilborn, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA

Dr. Wilborn is Executive Dean of the Mayborn College of Health Sciences and Professor at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters on the effects of sport supplements and exercise on body composition, metabolism, and performance. Colin has a published book on Sport Nutrition and has written for magazines such as Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness. Colin was the recipient of the NSCA’s 2015 GNC Nutritional Research Award. He is a Fellow and two-time Vice President for the NSCA Board of Directors. He is also Fellow and former Vice President of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, Associate Editor for the Journal of the International Society of Sport Nutrition, a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and editorial board member or reviewer for 10 Journals. Colin’s professional and personal interests include the effects resistance training and sport nutrition on health, body composition, and performance.

Marissa Wehr, CSCS

Marissa Wehr is a Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach with the U.S. Army's H2F program at Fort Bliss, TX.  Marissa received her Bachelor in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University, her Master of Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania, and her MBA in Athletic Administration at Husson University.  Marissa has worked with clients of all ages and levels of play through her undergraduate studies and professional career and has experience in the corporate wellness sector.  At Husson University, Marissa helped build the Exercise Science program curriculum and courses as an adjunct.

Nicholas Hanson, PhD, CSCS

Nicholas received a BS in Biology (2006) and an MS in Exercise Science (2009) from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). He received a PhD in Kinesiology from The Ohio State University (OSU) in 2013. He has worked as a Research Assistant in the Creighton University Rehabilitation Science Research Lab, and was a Graduate Teaching Associate at both UNO and OSU. He has certifications through both the National Strength & Conditioning Association (CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (EP-C). He is currently an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science in the department of Human Performance & Health Education at Western Michigan University (WMU). His research focus within the Human Performance Research Lab at WMU is on exercise and cognitive function, environmental exercise physiology, fatigue, pacing strategies and perception during exercise.

N. Travis Triplett, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Travis Triplett is a Professor and Program Director of Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, and the most recent Past President of the NSCA. Her professional experience includes a being Director of the Strength Centers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a research assistantship in Sports Physiology at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, a postdoctoral research fellowship at Southern Cross University in Australia, and other international research at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland and the University of Valencia in Spain. Dr. Triplett has served as a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and an assistant editor-in-chief for the Strength and Conditioning Journal. In addition, she received the NSCA’s Terry J. Housh Outstanding Young Investigator and William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist awards.  She also served on two panels for NASA, one for developing resistance exercise countermeasures to microgravity environments for the International Space Station, and holds certification from USA Weightlifting in addition to her NSCA certification.

Bob Jones, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E

Dr. Jones became William Woods University's first strength and conditioning coach in July 2001 and currently serves as an adjunct instructor for the university.

Dr. Jones began work with the NSCA as a clinic instructor in 1988 and became a CSCS in 1989. He has spoken at numerous clinics and has consulted with colleges and universities from the NAIA to NCAA D-I. Dr. Jones has been the NSCA’s Missouri State Director for two different terms: 1992-94 and 2008-10. In February 2015, he became involved as an instructor for the NSCA-CSCS Exam Prep Live Clinic program. Dr. Jones received the NSCA’s RSCC Emeritus distinction in January 2016, and in January of 2017, he became qualified to conduct the NSCA’s Foundations of Coaching Lifts course. 

Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN

Dr. Chappell is the Senior Vice President of Accreditation, Certification, Measurement, and the Institute for Credentialing Research and Quality Management at the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is responsible for certification of individual registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses; and development of certification examinations.  She is responsible for the accreditation of organizations that provide continuing nursing education and interprofessional continuing education; and for accreditation of residency and fellowship programs for nurses.  

Ryoji Abe, MS, CSCS

Ryoji Abe, born in Japan, began his enthusiasm for sports and fitness playing rugby in college. In the 1980s, Abe continued studying coaching and personal training earning a Masters from the Department of Physical Education at the University of Oregon. In the 1990s, Abe focused on working with athletes while educating personal trainers on current best practices provided by the NSCA.

In 2001, Abe became an NSCA Japan Board Member supporting NSCA education and promoting its impact within Japan's health and fitness markets. In 2005, Abe became NSCA Japan's Executive Director, further supporting the NSCA's growth and development within sport and fitness communities in Japan. Abe's experience with coaching athletes and working as a personal trainer helped relate to the needs and challenges of NSCA Japan's members.

Abe's collaboration with colleagues from the United States has been instrumental in NSCA Japan's growing success. As NSCA's most tenured foreign affiliate since 1991, NSCA Japan serves over 5,700 certified professionals and 7,000 members. Abe's dedication and leadership have led NSCA Japan to be the most successful foreign affiliate in Asia.

Diane Bartholomew, DHSc, ATC, LAT, CSCS

Dr. Bartholomew serves as vice president of academic affairs at Cleveland University-Kansas City. Prior to joining the University, she served as the vice president of academic affairs at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, including teaching, supervisory and administrative roles. As a certified athletic trainer, her past work experience also includes patient care in a variety of settings. Bartholomew has been a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) site visitor for more than a decade, and is a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE) board, and serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. She and husband John are the parents of a 17-year daughter.

Brent Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, FNSCA

Dr. Alvar is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Kinesiology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He has been a member of the NSCA since 1996 and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with Distinction and recognized as an NSCA Fellow. He began his career as a Personal Trainer/Strength Coach working with the general population, various clinical populations, as well developing collegiate Sports Performance and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Programs. In addition, he has been instrumental in developing many college and university academic programs in the area of Sports and Tactical Strength and Conditioning, including programs from the Associate’s level to the PhD. His research focus is in the area of Dose-Response of Resistance Training as well as the various components of Exercise Testing and Prescription related to Human Performance and Occupational Preparedness. Dr. Alvar has over 50 published papers and book chapters as well as over 75 invited research and professional presentations both nationally and internationally. He is also extremely involved in the tactical area of the NSCA, helping to develop the NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning as well as the TSAC Strength and Conditioning Course. His teaching is centered on Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methods, Clinical Exercise Prescription, as well as Sport and Tactical Strength and Conditioning. He spends the majority of his time guiding young scholars in their professional and research pursuits and feels this is the most important aspect of his career.

Michael G. Miller, PhD, EdD, AT, ATC, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FF2, FNATA, FNSCA

• Dr. Michael Miller is a Professor and Director of Graduate Athletic Training at Western Michigan University.

Regine Rossi, PhD, PT, DPT, CSCS

• Dr. Regine Rossi is an Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology at University of Connecticut.

Ludmila Cosio-Lima, DPE, CSCS,*D, FACSM

• Dr. Ludmila Cosio-Lima is a Professor of Exercise Science at University of West Florida.

Dawn E. Anderson, PhD, CSCS,*D, CISSN

• Dr. Dawn E. Anderson is the Director of the Exercise and Sport Performance Laboratory and Professor of Exercise Science at Indiana Tech.

CASCE BOD Liaison - Diane Bartholomew, DHSc, ATC, LAT, CSCS

• Dr. Diane Bartholomew is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Cleveland University- Kansas City

Brad Leshinske, PhD, CSCS

• Brad Leshinske is an Assistant Professorial Lecturer and Program Coordinator of the Exercise Science, Physical Education and Fitness Business Department at St. Xavier University.

Brian T. Gearity, PhD, ATC, CSCS, FNSCA

• Dr. Brian Gearity is an Associate Professor and founding and current Director of the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program and other online sport programs at University of Denver.

Timothy M. Dornemann, EdD, CSCS, RSCC

• Tim Dornemann is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Director of the undergraduate Exercise Science Program and Master of Science in Kinesiology program at Barton College.

M. Allison Murphy, PhD, FACSM, EP CSCS, EIM

• M. Allison Murphy is the Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator for Exercise Science at Mercy University. 

CASCE BOD Liaison - Marissa Wehr, CSCS

• Marissa Wehr is an Instructor at Husson University.