Laurel Whalen (aq0220)

University information

Title: Associate Professor - Teaching
Unit: Kinesiology Health & Sports Studies
Department: Health & Physical Education

Contact information

313-577-2704
2160 Faculty Administration Building
Detroit, 48202

College of Education

Degrees and Certifications:

Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Wayne State University (2019)
M.A. in Sports Administration, Wayne State University (2005)
B.A. in English and Speech Communication, Albion College (2001)

Phone: 313-577-2704
Responsibilities:

Dr. Whalen serves as the Program Coordinator for the Sport Management undergraduate and Sports Administration graduate programs in the division of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies.  Her primary responsibilities are teaching, advising, undergraduate and graduate program management, and committee work within the division and the College of Education.

Dr. Whalen also manages the Building Healthy Communities program, a grant-funded initiative to bring physical activity and healthy eating opportunities to elementary schools across the state of Michigan. Learn more: www.bhcwsu.org.

Title: Associate Professor (Teaching) and Program Coordinator of Sport Management and Administration
Office Location:

2155 Faculty/Administration Building

Research Interests:
  • Youth sports
  • Sociocultural issues in physical activity
  • Coach training and education
  • Parent involvement in sports
  • Student support and success
  • Online education 

Publications:

  • Whalen, L., Barcelona, J., Centeio, E., McCaughtry, N. (2021). #HealthyKidsQuarantined: Supporting schools and families with virtual physical activity, physical education, and nutrition education during the coronavirus pandemic. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 40(3), 503-507.
  • Whalen, L., Maljak, K., Garn, A., Flory, S., McCaughtry, N. (2020). Chapter 12: Challenges and opportunities in urban after-school programming. In Marttinen, R., Centeio, E. E., Quarmby, T. (Eds.), Before and After School Physical Activity Programs: Frameworks, Critical Issues and Underserved Populations. New York, NY: Routledge Publishers.
  • Centeio, E., Whalen, L., Thomas, E., Kulik, N., McCaughtry, N. (2017) Using yoga to reduce stress and bullying behavior among urban youth. Health.
  • Whalen, L., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Kulik, N., Centeio, E., Maljack, K., Kaseta, M., Shen, B., & Martin, J. (2015). Why inner-city high school students attend after-school physical activity clubs. Health Education Journal, 1-13.
  • Centeio, E., Whalen, L., Kulik, N., Thomas, E., & McCaughtry, N. (2015). Understanding stress and aggression behaviors among urban youth. Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, 5(187).
  • Martin, J., & Whalen, L. (2015) Effective practices of disability sport coaches. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 7(2), 13-23.
  • Garn, A.C., McCaughtry, N., Kulik, N., Kaseta, M., Maljak, K., Whalen, L., Shen, B., Martin, J., & Fahlman, M. (2014). Successful after-school physical activity clubs in urban high schools: Perspectives of adult leaders and student participants. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 33, 112-133.
  • Maljak, K., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Kulik, N., Whalen, L., Shen, B., & Martin, J. (2014). Challenges in offering inner-city after-school physical activity clubs. Advances in Physical Education, 45(5), 297-307.
  • Martin, J.J. & Whalen, L. (2012). Self-concept and physical activity in athletes with physical disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 5, 197-200.

Papers Presented:

  • Whalen, L., Somers, C., & McCaughtry, N. (2022, April). Healthy@Home: Parental Perceptions of the Value and Effectiveness of Virtual Nutrition and Physical Activity Content in a Comprehensive School Health Program. Accepted for presentation at the National SHAPE America conference, New Orleans, LA.
  • Whalen, L., Barcelona, J., Centeio, E., McCaughtry, N. (2021, May). #HealthyKidsQuarantined: Supporting schools with virtual nutrition and physical activity resources. In E.E. Chairperson (Centeio, E.), Understanding Teaching and Learning in Physical Education during COVID-19. Accepted presentation for symposium conduced at the annual conference of the Society of Health and Physical Educators.
  • Whalen, L., McCaughtry, N., Centeio, E., Martin, J.J., Bimper, A. (2020, May 27-30). Worth the risk: Why suburban parents value youth football. Oral presentation accepted for the annual conference of the North American Society for Sport Management Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. Conference cancelled due to COVID-19.
  • Whalen, L. McCaughtry, N., Centeio, E., Martin, J.J., Bimper, A. (2020, April 13-17). Mothers and football: “I just put him out there and pray.” Oral presentation accepted for the annual conference of the Society of Health and Physical Educators, Salt Lake City, UT. Conference cancelled due to COVID-19.
  • Whalen, L. Centeio, E. McKowan, H. (2019). It’s not about the hair: Swimming avoidance among minority youth. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Society of Health and Physical Educators, Tampa, FL.
  • McKown, H. B., Centeio, E. E., Whalen, L., Scott, L., & McCaughtry, N. (2019, April). Demographic and cultural influences on perceived swimming ability in urban youth. Poster presentation at the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America conference, Tampa, FL.
  • Whalen, L., Centeio, E., Thomas, E., Kulik, N., Nash, B., Shen, B., McCaughtry, N. (2017). Addressing aggressive behaviors through mindful physical education. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, St. Louis, MO.
  • Thomas, E., Centeio, E., Kulik, N., Whalen, L., Nash, B., McCaughtry, N. (2017). A yoga-based intervention in urban physical education. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, St. Louis, MO.
  • Whalen, L., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Kulik, N., Maljak, K., Kaseta, M., Shen, B., Martin, J.J. (2013) Student motivations for participation in inner-city after-school physical activity clubs. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Charlotte, NC.
  • Maljak, K., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Kulik, N., Whalen L., Kaseta, M., Shen,B., Martin, J.J. (2013) Challenges in offering inner-city after-school physical activity clubs. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance,Charlotte, NC.
  • Kaseta, M., Garn, A., McCaughtry, N., Kulik, N., Maljak, K., Whalen, L., Shen, B., Martin, J.J. (2013). Running successful inner-city after-school physical activity clubs. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Charlotte, NC.
  • Kulik, N., Zalewska, A., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Maljak, K., Whalen, L., Kaseta, M., Martin, J.J., Shen, B. (2013). Weight Status and diet/physical activity self-perception in after-school physical activity clubs. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Charlotte, NC.
  • Kulik, N. Zalewska, A., McCaughtry, N., Garn, A., Maljak, K., Whalen, L., Kaseta, M., Martin, J.J., Shen, B. (2013). Social support, diet and exercise in after-school physical activity clubs. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Charlotte, NC.

Public Presentations

  • Grantee Showcase. Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Pivot Data Design workshop (2021, December)
  • Using FlipGrid for Classroom Engagement. Wayne University Office of Teaching and Learning (2021, July; 2021, February).
  • Engaging Students Through Online Teaching. AERA Sig 93 Webinar (2019, November).
  • Classroom Management Faculty Panel. Wayne State University Office of Teaching and Learning (2019, January).
  • Hybrid and Online Teaching Institute. Wayne State University Office of Teaching and Learning (2019, August).
  • Warrior Teaching Week. Wayne State University Office of Teaching and Learning (2019, October).
  • Coaching for character. Presentation at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Women in Sports Leadership Convention, Lansing, MI (2015, March; 2014, February)
  • Choosing the right college: Preparing your athletes for the future. Presentation at the Oakland Country Coaches Convention, Walled Lake, MI. (2014, August)
  • Coaching for character: Using athletics to foster positive character development. Presentation at the Oakland County Coaches Convention, Walled Lake, MI. (2014, August)
Awards:
  • 2021, President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2020, College of Education Faculty Research Award
  • 2019, Provost’s Office Program Assessment Honoree
  • 2018 College of Education Service Award 
  • 2017 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award
Grants:

Fahlman, M. (Principal Investigator), Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Award: $450,000
September 1, 2024 – August 30, 2025

Fahlman, M. (Principal Investigator), Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Award: $450,000
September 1, 2023 – August 30, 2024

Fahlman, M. (Principal Investigator), Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Award: $450,000
September 1, 2022 – August 30, 2023

Whalen, L. (Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Principal Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Award: $500,000
August 15, 2021 – August 14, 2023

Fahlman, M. (Principal Investigator), Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Principal Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Award: $450,000
September 1, 2021 – August 30, 2022

Fahlman, M. (Principal Investigator), Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator) & McCaughtry, N. (Co-Principal Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Award: $450,000
September 1, 2020 – August 30, 2021

Whalen, L. (Principal Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Community Telecommunications Network
Award: $20,535
September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2020

McCaughtry, N. (Principal Investigator) & Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator)
Building Healthy Communities
Source: Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Award: $472,545
August 15, 2019 – August 14, 2021

Centeio, E.E. (Principal Investigator) & Whalen, L. (Co-Principal Investigator)
Evaluation of Michigan Swimming Diversity & Adapted Programming
Source: Michigan Swimming Association
Award: $14,800
October 1st, 2017 – September 1st, 2018

Community Engagement Activities:
 
  • Center for Health and Community Impact, Research Faculty
  • Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) Advisory Board Member
  • The Konnection Advisory Board Member
  • Quality Matters Certified Peer Reviewer
  • SHAPE America, member
  • Faculty Representative for WSU Athletics
  • Women in Sport and Entertainment (WISE) – Detroit Chapter, member
Laurel Whalen

Courses taught by Laurel Whalen

Fall Term 2024 (current)

Spring-Summer Term 2024

Winter Term 2024

Fall Term 2023

Winter Term 2023

Fall Term 2022

Winter Term 2022

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