As the Chairperson and associate professor at University of Indianapolis, Dr. Lisa L. Hicks has initiated several new academic majors and innovative programs, including several mutually beneficial community partnerships. Under her leadership the department has experienced significant growth, over 8-fold in ten years, with increased enrollment in existing areas and with the addition of new programs in community health education, exercise science, and Healthy Diploma™. Prior to her role as department chair, Dr. Hicks served as women’s basketball coach and assistant professor for the University of Indianapolis and Manchester College. Dr. Hicks began her professional career as a K-12 physical educator and coach.
Dr. Hicks has been elected and appointed to several significant professional positions including President of the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Steering Committee. She has served Midwest District of AHPERD as a member of the Finance Committee, Board of Directors (Indiana State Representative), Sport and Physical Education Council, Leisure Lifestyles and Fitness Council and the Advocacy Committee. She currently serves as secretary of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education and on the communication committee of the American Kinesiology Association.
Dr. Hicks received her Ph.D. from Purdue University in Pedagogy of Health and Physical Activity and M.A. and B.S. from Ball State University. She has made over 50 professional presentations and authored more than twenty professional papers assisting practitioners in the field. She is a certified wellness coach and certified fitness coach. Her area of research includes factors that influence student attitudes toward physical activity, factors that influence adolescent physical activity and exceptional teachers of physical activity.
