Exercise Science  News

Congratulations Class of 2022

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Class of 2022 Falk Scholars

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And the Winners Are…

 

 

 

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Hands-On at the Highest Level

As the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse, women’s ice hockey and women’s tennis teams, Mike Missen knows the key to thriving in his profession is the ability to take the intricacies of what you’ve learned and translate it for a team of student-athletes who simply want to improve their performance.

“This ability to speak to, teach and lead a group is often the separating factor of whether someone can be successful in this field or not,” Missen says.

To develop those relationship-building skills in the field, three health and exercise science students from Falk College –Julio Fulcar ’22, Caleigh Walklet ’23 and Lucas Brey ’22–spent this past fall semester working with Missen as strength and conditioning interns.

Designed to give the interns an understanding of how training athletes is different than other forms of exercise, the internship required Fulcar, Walklet and Brey to be present at team workouts, clean and maintain the weight room, attend education meetings and conduct research. Their curriculum included video and article reviews, lifting technique coaching sessions, group discussions and a programming project.

“Internships provide the opportunity for these students to experience life within the profession and understand the demands of the jobs before committing to one path,” Missen says. “For collegiate strength and conditioning, especially, it is important for these students to learn the energy and time requirements that are unique to intercollegiate athletics.”

For Walklet, the internship allowed her “to learn more than I thought was possible.”

“By having this hands-on approach, new information was more easily cemented in my mind and even helped me in my other related courses,” she says. “Without having this experience, I can guarantee I wouldn’t be nearly as prepared for the remainder of my college career and the professional one that will follow it.”

As the three Falk College students concluded their fall internships, they shared their unique perspectives and experiences with us. Here are their stories:

Julio Fulcar: ‘Keep Learning and Growing’

For Fulcar, a four-year member of the Syracuse men’s soccer team, the internship gave him an opportunity to see training from the strength and conditioning coach’s point of view.

“The best part about it for me was that I felt I was a part of something and that I was contributing,” Fulcar says. “Mike (Missen) did a great job of educating us, allowing us to ask questions, and giving us responsibilities so that we could grow and learn.”

Fulcar’s family is from the Dominican Republic, and he grew up in Watertown, Mass., playing soccer, basketball and baseball in school and with his two older brothers. A midfielder, he was ranked as the No. 6 recruit in the Northeast by TopDrawerSoccer.com and chose Syracuse primarily to play soccer.

Fulcar gravitated toward Falk and exercise science because as an athlete, he has “always been interested in the human body as well as human performance.”

“The one thing I can say that I have learned throughout my time in the program is that things in the field of exercise science are constantly changing, new ideas are being put out there and things are always evolving,” Fulcar says. “It is a message that is conveyed by the staff in Falk and they are always cognizant of the real world when they are teaching, which is great for the students.”

During his internship, the “real world” for Fulcar included leading drills, explaining exercises and providing strength-and-conditioning tips to the athletes. As an athlete and a member of the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Student Athlete Board, Fulcar had already established relationships with many of the athletes he helped train.

As for what’s next, Fulcar says he would like to pursue a career in professional soccer in some capacity and he’s also considering more schooling to become a physical therapist.

“If I look at it in the short term then it would be to get into PT (physical therapy) school. If I look a little further down the line, then I hope to be the best PT I can and maybe stay in the sport of soccer through different mediums other than playing,” Fulcar says about his future goals. “Most importantly for me would just be to keep learning and growing inside and outside of the classroom.”

Caleigh Walklet: ‘Improving Quality of Life’

As a high school athlete in Fairfield, Conn., Walklet’s serious interest in exercise science and physical therapy came about the hard way–she tore her ACL, MCL and lateral meniscus in a lacrosse game and then, after a year of intense rehabbing to get back on the field, she tore her medial meniscus in the same knee.

“I spent more time in PT, and while it was very discouraging, I wouldn’t change anything about the injuries I experienced if I had the chance,” she says. “I was given the opportunity to witness first-hand the challenges and beauties of the career I was interested in, and I was learning and retaining something new every day.

“I strongly empathize with anyone who has endured a similar obstacle, but that experience prompted my interest in resistance training and a greater focus on overall health, all of which has been bolstered by my education here at SU,” Walklet adds.

Wanting to attend “a big school with an even bigger spirit,” Walklet chose Syracuse and was particularly inspired by a Worksite Health Promotion class taught by sociology professor Mary Pagan, who acknowledged the struggles of her students during the pandemic and found ways to connect with them and motivate them. Initially “intimidated” the strength and conditioning internship because she was working with high-level athletes and coaches, Walklet met the challenge and found the environment “invigorating.”

“Sure, things can get intense at Manley (Field House), but 20 girls yelling as someone lifts 225 pounds for the first time gives that word a completely different meaning to me,” Walklet says. “It begins with the attitudes of the staff I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and it’s evident that they genuinely care about the success of those they’re training and working with.

“Likewise, each team has such a diverse collection of traits and attitudes that ensure there’s never a dull moment,” she adds. “The women and men I’ve spent time with this fall broke me out of my shell, and without fail, I’d always leave Manley in a better mood than when I entered.”

As for her future, Walklet plans to earn a Ph.D. in physical therapy with an eye on opening her own practice that is connected to a training facility for athletes recovering from injuries. She’s particularly interested in the division of physical therapy that focuses on neurological issues caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

“It’s common for people to be unaware that our society holds the information and expertise necessary to help them get through any adverse circumstances they might be facing, and it’s my goal to eliminate any feelings of helplessness that rise from that,” Walklet says. “Whether it’s in a physical therapy office or not, if I’m able to look back on a situation and feel as if I improved their quality of life somehow, I’ll be happy.”

Lucas Brey: ‘Learning at the Highest Level’

Physical fitness has always been a central theme in Brey’s life, starting as a middle school wrestler in New York City and continuing during a five-year stint with the U.S. Marine Corps. The wrestling practices were rigorous and pushed Brey to his mental and physical limits for the first time, and being fit was essential to mission success during his stint in the Marines and his two overseas deployments.

“To me, exercise science is the union of people’s endless curiosity and the amazing feats our bodies can accomplish,” Brey says.

When he decided to leave the military to pursue a college degree and start a career that he was truly passionate about, Syracuse was the right choice because of its commitment to veterans, the exercise science program at Falk, and the opportunity to work with top Division I athletic teams.

“I came to Syracuse University because it stood out as an institution that was extremely veteran-friendly and that would make my transition out of the military into academia as seamless as possible,” Brey says. “Since attending Syracuse as a health and exercise science major, I have learned that there is more to the science of fitness and strength than I could have possibly imagined while in the military.”

Brey says the strength and conditioning internship has been the most important experience that he has had at Syracuse because it has put him in a better position to achieve his career goals. He spent a lot of time asking questions and found a parallel with the military in that every person involved with a sports team must constantly assess the ways in which they are contributing to the overall mission.

“The truly special part of this internship is when I think about the program and the teams I am working with and the feeling of pride of contributing to the success of these athletes,” Brey says. “I feel honored every day to be able to work with athletes who are at such a high level, and I welcome the responsibility that comes with that.

“While I have studied many of the concepts of strength and conditioning through my coursework and my own independent research, there is nothing like actually being able to learn on the job, let alone learning at the highest level of collegiate strength and conditioning,” he adds.

Brey is continuing his internship through the spring semester and looking forward to taking on new responsibilities. He says after graduation he’ll set his sights on becoming a strength and conditioning coach, whether with a collegiate program or in the private sector, and his first choice is to stay in Central New York and remain close to Syracuse University.

“Right now, the most important thing for me to accomplish is to graduate from Syracuse and to make my family proud,” Brey says. “I had no idea what to expect when I first applied to Syracuse, but I have loved every second of being a student here and am so happy I decided to apply when I was unsure what my next step in life would be.”

—Matthew Michael
Originally Published February 3, 2022

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Gold Medal Goals

As a young girl growing up in Banff, Alberta, Canada, Akane Hosoyamada ’15 spent a lot of time on the ice with her brother playing hockey. Her passion for the sport turned into aspirations for Olympic gold and she competed at the Winter Games for Team Japan in PyeongChang in 2018. She will once again strive for that goal with her teammates this month at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

While working on her degree in health and exercise science at Falk College, Hosoyamada played defense for the Syracuse Orange and was team captain her redshirt senior year. After graduating, she did not have the chance to play for the Canadian team and nearly gave up the sport, but her friends, family and Syracuse Orange coaches urged her to continue. So, she sought out opportunities in her parents’ native Japan where she could join a competitive team—a choice she says was the right one because it helped her get back to her roots. She hopes her team’s participation in the Games will help to promote women’s ice hockey in Japan, where it is not a major sport.

Hosoyamada and Team Japan play their first game against Sweden on Thursday, February 3 at 3:30 a.m. EST.

Syracuse University News recently had the opportunity to chat with Hosoyamada and ask about her accomplishments on the ice and her experience at Syracuse University.

Read the interview

A Syracuse University story by Jonah Restuccio and Lisa Maresca originally published on February 1, 2022.

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Dean’s Winter Welcome

Dear Falk Students,

Welcome back to Syracuse University! We hope you enjoyed your winter break and had the opportunity to relax and spend time with friends and family. We’re excited for all that lies ahead for you in Spring 2022. With that in mind, here are some important reminders as we start the new semester:

Public Health and University Communications:

Public health remains a critical priority for life on campus and in our wider Syracuse community. We fully expect all Falk College students to follow University public health guidelines and local public health mandates. By doing our part, we can keep each other safe and healthy. Please visit the Stay Safe website, the official source of public health information for Syracuse University, for guidance and updates.

Remember to check your Syracuse University email daily, as it is the primary communication method at the University. Your professors and University offices will contact you with important information using your Syracuse University email address (ending in “@syr.edu”), not your personal email address.

Student Support Services:

Falk Student Services counselors are here to provide you with private academic advising and help you meet your requirements and goals. In addition, they are your resource for private consultation related to student social and emotional concerns. If you have any concerns throughout your academic career, please contact Student Services or visit Suite 330 Barclay Hall in the Falk Complex.

Falk Career Services advisors, also located in Suite 330 Barclay Hall, can help you prepare for life after college through career exploration, internship and job searching, professional networking, and more. You can also search for opportunities through Handshake, the University’s job search and professional events portal.

In addition, you can connect to spiritual life on campus at Hendricks Chapel, and health and counseling services in the Barnes Center at the Arch.

Student Lounges, Computer Labs, and Cafés:

The Student Lounge, located in Falk 216, is available to you any time the Falk Complex is open. The lounge has a microwave, refrigerator, and vending machines for student use. Just down the hall is Falk 229. This quiet student lounge has both Windows and Mac computers that are available to students any time the Falk Complex is open.

Falk 113, 400, and 407 are Windows computer labs that are also used as teaching classrooms. They are available to students any time class is not in session. You may check the schedule of availability using the Orange Events website. You may also use the quick-print stations in Falk 216 and 229 for printing and email. These stations log out automatically after 15 minutes of use.

The Falk Café on 2 is expected to open Feb. 2 on a limited basis. Check the Food Services website for other campus cafés and operating hours, which are subject to change.

Ways to Get Involved:

Get to know many of the hundreds of Syracuse University student organizations at the Winter Student Involvement Fair 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26, 2022, in Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center.

You can also discover activities and events on campus by visiting the Syracuse University Calendar. Please note that events are subject to change according to public health guidelines. You can find the most up-to-date event information on the University Calendar. Once again, visit the Stay Safe website regularly for public health information and watch your University email for important announcements.

There are many other resources available to you at Syracuse University beyond these important highlights. Please visit the For Students page to review a more comprehensive listing of student resources to enhance your experience at Syracuse.

Thank you for being part of the wider Syracuse University community and our Falk College family. On behalf of the Falk faculty and staff, I wish you the best for Spring 2022.

Go Orange!

Diane Lyden Murphy, M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D.

Dean

Falk College

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Training for the future

Future physical therapists Julia Geronimo ’24 and Ally Krevolin ’23 are jump-starting their careers with a foundation in exercise science. As exercise science majors, they each complete over 270 hours of internships and field placements, such as shadowing, observation, and research. This fall, they both interned at Vitality, a program in the Institute for Human Performance at Upstate Medical University. Vitality promotes health and fitness among various populations, particularly older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.

“The students at Vitality work directly with our participants to help supervise, modify and correct their exercises and exercise program,” says Amy Allen, exercise physiologist at and coordinator of the Vitality program. As the intern supervisor, Allen teaches students how to develop individualized exercise programs for Vitality participants and instructs on proper exercise form. The students also learn to perform fitness assessments to identify participant needs and measure progress. “Our participants have a diverse range of barriers that make exercise programming more complex. Students need to be critical thinkers to help our folks achieve their goals.”

Hands-on training

“My internship at Vitality was my first experience not in physical therapy specifically,” says Krevolin, who has also interned at three other institutions. “I was able to help each of the older adults with their exercise programs and fitness testing. It was beneficial for me to see where people go after physical therapy.”

Interacting with Vitality program participants was a large part of the job. “A typical day begins with welcoming participants and addressing any of their concerns, especially with their exercise program,” Geronimo explains. “I talk with Vitality staff about any notable patient statuses or new patients and will bounce around ideas on how to help them and their fitness.”

“By the end of their internship, my goal is for them to gain a good deal of independence to make corrections and adjustments to exercises and performing fitness assessments with minimal oversight from staff,” Allen explains.

According to Allen, student interns say they appreciate the emphasis on working directly with participants. “Students really improve their interpersonal skills, getting accustomed to approaching and talking with a variety of people regarding their exercise program and just talking in general with a demographic that is often different from theirs,” says Allen. “Oftentimes our interns gain an appreciation for the strengths, abilities, and commitment to health in this population.”

“This was my first time working specifically with the geriatric population, which I enjoyed,” says Geronimo. “I was truly surprised with how much I learned at Vitality. My time here allowed me to grow and develop myself in the field of exercise physiology.”

Krevolin says she gained practice motivating others. “It was awesome to see the clients improve, and to see them get excited when they saw all their accomplishments,” she notes.

Krevolin initially planned to major in biology, but then she discovered exercise science. “The exercise science program allowed me to take courses that are hands-on and applicable to my future career,” she says. In addition, Krevolin says completing experience credits were one of the most important components of her undergraduate program, giving students like her the chance for career exploration. “Since I came to school wanting to be a physical therapist, I was able to further explore the career and observe in various physical therapy settings. This helped me to learn more about myself as well as my career,” she adds.

The Orange spirit

Originally from Pennsylvania, Krevolin always felt part of the Orange family. “My dad went to Syracuse in the 80’s, so I grew up loving the Orange,” she says. “When I came to tour here, I immediately felt at home and felt a sense of community.”

The Orange spirit caught Geronimo’s attention, too. She came to Syracuse from California and is a double major in exercise science and psychology. “I have always known that Syracuse University offers a plethora of opportunities and has a great student life. Everyone who goes to SU loves it there,” she says. “Along with that, it was one of the few campuses that offered an accelerated, early assurance DPT program,” she adds.

Geronimo and Krevolin are both enrolled in Syracuse University’s 3+3 DPT (doctorate of physical therapy) program with SUNY Upstate, in which students complete both their undergraduate degree and a DPT in 6 years, instead of the usual 7. Students complete their undergraduate program in three years instead of four, and spend their senior year completing first year coursework at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Syracuse University is the only health and exercise science program in the region that is a part of this partnership.

“The program enabled me to have a smooth transition into graduate school,” says Krevolin, who begins physical therapy school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in June. “I learned from exercise science that the way you treat your patients is so important,” she says. “The most important thing that I hope to accomplish is to help others and improve others’ quality of life,” she says about her future.

For Geronimo, “I hope to find the opportunity to work at a service place that focuses on collaboration over competition.” In Spring 2022, Geronimo will intern with Upstate Medical University’s rehab/physical therapy unit at the hospital, and with Syracuse Athletics, working on athlete nutrition, and strength and conditioning.

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Heart of the Field

As a former explosive technician with the U.S. Air Force, Justin Pascual ’20, G’22 knows what it takes to stay focused in the field of duty and intentional in his actions. That’s why the nutrition science graduate student at Falk College wants to next support the military by becoming a naval aerospace and operational physiologist in the United States Navy. He plans to use his knowledge of nutrition and human physiology to prepare military members for the physiological stressors of a combat-based career.

Pascual earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science from Falk College. While stationed outside Cambridge, England, at the Royal Air Force Mildenhall, he met a group of civilians, including a nutritionist, working with members of the Special Forces team. Through this interaction, he saw firsthand the power proper nutrition could have on military members. He always had a passion for health and wellness and thought he could merge that interest with his military career by becoming a military dietician. He left his active-duty post to seek his degree at Syracuse University, which is highly ranked among veterans. Eventually, he shifted his focus toward using nutrition and exercise science to improve cardiovascular health in the military population.

Front Line Research

In his second year of his master’s program, Pascual is studying how nutrition alters human physiology and how this synergistic relationship can better prepare people for the stresses of military life. Through research, he found that orthostatic intolerance, a term used to classify specific ailments such as orthostatic hypotension, can significantly hinder the health of military members and civilians alike. He also learned that vitamin D might play a role in the onset of orthostatic intolerance.

Pascual is researching with Professor Kevin Heffernan, director of the Human Performance Laboratory and professor in the Department of Exercise Science, and Margaret Voss, nutritional biochemistry and metabolism professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, vitamin D’s relationship with orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing up from sitting or lying down. Specifically, Pascual is investigating how the otolith organs in the inner ear can help people withstand that change of position without getting dizzy. He’s researching how vitamin D affects the inner ear’s input to the cardiovascular system, an evolving sector of research regarding cardiovascular health. Individuals with lower vitamin D levels have showcased a higher risk for orthostatic intolerance. The military can utilize this information since many careers, including aircrew, fighter pilots, deep-sea divers and astronauts work in different gravitational environments that may affect their inner ears and cardiovascular systems.

To research this, Pascual conducted a pilot study out of the Human Performance Lab this fall with 23 participants, using an ultrasound machine to view the arteries during a position change and a sensory pen to measure how stiff the arteries are at any given moment. Pascual, Heffernan and Voss are using the rest of the fall semester to evaluate the data and start the next phase of the study, which is looking at the carotid artery in the neck and cerebral blood flow to the brain. “Using our research, we’ll be able to create a cohesive picture about what’s happening throughout the whole body.”

He’s incredibly appreciative of the mentorship he’s received from the faculty, calling it priceless. “Professors Heffernan’s and Voss’ collaborative guidance and mentorship are helping me to progress my academic and professional career. I can’t thank them enough.”

Transitioning From Military Life

One of the things Pascual values most about his time at Syracuse University is the support he’s offered as a student veteran. The Arizona native served in the Air Force for eight and a half years and now serves with the New York Air National Guard. He says bonding with fellow student veterans at the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building (NVRC) and in the Students Veterans Organization (SVO) makes him feel more at home. “The support of the SVO and the NVRC is phenomenal.” He also recently joined SALUTE, the veterans national honor society, where he’s looking forward to becoming an active member and participating in networking events and seminars.

Pascual says the culture shock from military life to academic life is profound—everything from the general lifestyle to the way people communicate is different. He says that having dedicated spaces and transition programs for veterans helps with mental health and overall morale as compared to schools that do not have these resources.

Sage Advice

As an undergraduate, Pascual—who is also a Ronald E. McNair Scholar—studied abroad in Tuscany, Italy, as part of Falk College’s Mediterranean Food and Culture course offered at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Syracuse University Program in Florence. He stayed on working farms during the “life-changing” trip and saw firsthand how the farmers worked together to grow their food.

The biggest lesson he learned from that trip was intentionality. “Everything the farmers did, from the way they cleaned their food to the way they treated their land and animals, was very intentional and pure.”

He keeps a reminder of that lesson over his desk at home in the form of a framed sage, picked straight from the forest for a dish, which was gifted to him as a memento by a chef he met on the trip. It’s been a good reminder to be intentional in his research by taking the time to ask himself at each turn if the next step will help with the end goal. “I ask myself can we discover an answer that’s going to potentially help an elderly fall risk individual? Can we do that with our research? If the answer is yes, I keep going. If the answer’s no, then I put it on the back burner.”

Being intentional is one of the many valuable lessons Pascual says he’s learned while at Syracuse. As someone who came from a background where a strong work ethic was prioritized over schoolwork, he says he finally understands the power of academics.

“A valuable lesson I learned at Syracuse is to leverage my knowledge, which empowers me to be of service to others—to be of better service to those who came before us and to those who come behind us.”

Adapted from an SU Story by Lisa Maresca originally published on November 16, 2021.

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October 28 event features alumni in disability advocacy

Falk College Career Services will host the “Falk College Alumni Speaker Series: Improving Access for People with Disabilities” on October 28, 2021, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. in Grant Auditorium, followed by a networking reception with refreshments from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The panel discussion will focus on current issues surrounding accessibility in a range of environments, and will be of particular interest to students seeking internships or careers in healthcare, mental health, education, policy and advocacy, and sport and recreation.

This is the fourth event in a series of Falk College alumni panels, which bring alumni back to campus to discuss current industry trends of interest to Falk students and share valuable career experiences and insights. Previous alumni panels have focused on topics such as community health and wellness; promoting exercise and nutrition as natural approaches to health, and; sport, health and social activism.

“For students, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn more about how they can be an advocate in whatever field they pursue,” says David Sly, director of Falk College Career Services. “In addition to learning about the specific careers of our panelists, students, faculty, and staff can leave this event with ideas for better serving people with a range of disabilities in any setting.”

The “Improving Access for People with Disabilities” panel will include four Falk College alumni:

Scott Ebner, MSW ’97
Scott Ebner is the Executive Director at CIRCARE, a local agency that supports people with behavioral health disabilities, including family and employment support. He has also worked with Provisions Bakery in Armory Square, a work transition site for people with mental illness.
Jeremy French-Lawyer, BS Public Health ’14
Jeremy French-Lawyer is the Assistant Director of Evaluation, Assessment and Research at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Jeremy also has previous experience as a Disability Integration Fellow with SUNY Upstate, integrating disability-relevant information into medical school and continuing medical education curriculum. Other previous roles include working with children and at-risk parents in education and healthcare settings. Jeremy holds a master of public health (MPH) degree jointly awarded from Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Ocesa Keaton, MSW ’15
Ocesa Keaton is the Central New York Regional Director for New York Civil Liberties Union and has previously served as the ADA Coordinator for the City of Syracuse. Ocesa has extensive experience in youth and advocacy programs, with a focus on at-risk pregnant and parenting teens, youth violence prevention, and poverty.
Eileen May-West, BS Sport Management ’10
Eileen May-West is the Program Director at Wasatch Adaptive Sports and leads outdoor adaptive recreation operations for over 500 individuals with disabilities each year. Eileen holds a master’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of New Hampshire.
For Syracuse University students, registration is appreciated, though not required, through Handshake. For faculty, staff and community attendees, please RSVP to falkcareers@syr.edu. CART and ASL services will be provided. To request other accommodations, please contact Falk Career Services at falkcareers@syr.edu or 315.443.3144. For event information, visit the event page.

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Welcome Class of 2025!

Falk College welcomes the Class of 2025, a talented group from 37 states and 33 global countries. The Class of 2025 includes 373 first-year students, 13 transfer students, 163 new graduate students, and 156 new online graduate students. Fall 2021 Syracuse Welcome is scheduled for Aug. 26-29, 2021, with new student move-in beginning Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. The entire welcome week schedule for new students can be found by visiting the Syracuse Welcome website.

Falk College Syracuse Welcome Events:

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