Hello! This episode of What’s New in APE is extra
special, as we have a guest moderator taking the reins today. Dr. Barry Lavay,
an adapted physical education professor at California State University, Long
Beach and longtime contributor to the podcast, has been so kind to bring his
expertise and personality to the podcast. In fact, for the next three episodes
Dr. Lavay will be interviewing Dr. Jeff McCubbin about his career in the field
of APE, as well as his insights on the status of APE and where we are going.
Dr. Jeff McCubbin is a pioneer in the field of APE and
has many noteworthy achievements. More specifically, Dr. McCubbin served as the
Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University
from 2011-2019. Prior to that he was a University Distinguished Professor of
Exercise Science and Executive Associate Dean in the College of Health and
Human Sciences at Oregon State University. Dr. McCubbin is also a past
president of the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals
with Disabilities. In addition, Dr. McCubbin has been recognized as fellow with
the American Academy
of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AKA).
For this very first episode, Dr. Lavay talks to Dr.
McCubbin about his professional development and training within the field of
adapted physical education. Within this topic, they have an in-depth discussion
about how Dr. McCubbin became initially interested in health and physical
education for individuals with disabilities. Dr. McCubbin also shares his
insights on what he learned from pioneers he studied with in the field of APE
when he first began his career. Furthermore, they will begin to discuss some of
Dr. McCubbin’s research interests, which have focused mainly on the role of
physical activity and exercise on improving functional skills and reducing
secondary complications of disability.
Within the second episode, Dr. Lavay and Dr. McCubbin give some advice to young faculty members within the field of APE and explain how to seek and manage grants. In addition, Dr. McCubbin reflects on the importance of mentoring young professionals within the field of APE. Finally, in this episode they discuss the identity crisis within our field of APE through asking powerful questions, such as who are we and where we are going as a field. Within this podcast, Dr. McCubbin also refers to an excellent Master's program that is offered at several countries across the world, including the US, that many of my listeners may not be familiar with. The program is called "Erasmus Mundus Master in Adapted Physical Activity (EMMAPA)". Within their website it explains "The EMMAPA Master Consortium is conferring a 'joint diploma': EMMAPA - one single diploma, issued by the Coordinating institution that will carry the logos of all 4 European Consortium Universities and the signature of the Rector of the coordinating University on behalf of the other Rectors".
The third and final episode of this interview series has Dr. Lavay and Dr. McCubbin discussing a wide range of topics with regards to the field of APE. Dr. McCubbin first begins by discussing his experience as an administrator. This conversation dives into why Dr. McCubbin chose this path, why APE professionals may be uniquely situated to be administrators, and the importance of PETE administrators to advocate for PETE and APE programming. Next, they discuss the vision of physical education and APE, and how a clear vision is needed for the field to continue to survive and thrive. Within this podcast, Dr. McCubbin also refers to a newly formulated Adapted Physical Activity Consortium. This APA Consortium aims to train 28 high quality and competent scholars at the doctoral degree level at nine universities across the country, to serve as higher education faculty, and train pre-service physical education teachers and related service professionals to appropriately educate youth with disabilities. This training will occur through coursework, practicum, a consortium-wide enrichment program, community-based service-learning programs, and research engagement. The faculty engaged in this Consortium are known leaders nationally and internationally in adapted physical activity, which places this project in an advantageous position to provide quality and essential doctoral-level training. This consortium includes East Carolina University, Georgia State University, Ohio State University, Old Dominion University, Oregon State University, Texas Women’s University, University of Delaware, University of Virginia, and West Virginia University.
