Kelsey Bourbeau, PhD

What drove your interest in this discipline? I love the idea of using exercise as medicine for various clinical disorders, specifically mental health disorders. Struggling with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety is very common. Learning that exercise can initiate molecular changes that improve mental health prompted my passion for the field of exercise physiology.

Why you enjoy what you do: I recently wrote a letter of recommendation for a student applying to a graduate program. The student explained that he felt I was the first teacher that has truly believed in his abilities to succeed in the medical field. The student was accepted to the graduate program and I feel so proud of his hard work and thankful that I could be a resource to him.

Teaching philosophy: While I am passionate about the field of exercise science, I believe that teaching spans further than simply relaying course content. I believe that successful teaching allows students to spark and foster their passions and recognize their personal strengths. I also believe that students learn best in an environment in which they trust the content and the person providing it to them. Further, I believe that all students have a unique way of learning and incorporating various modes of teaching augment the student learning experience. Thus, my teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of inclusiveness, preparedness, and employing various methods of instruction.  

What do you hope students learn from you? I hope my students learn that if they find passion in their coursework, they can make a huge difference in others' lives. It is so important that they know that their hard work today will reap benefits for not only themselves, but those that will impact in the future.