Northwestern profs present research

Dr. Paul Bartlett, professor of kinesiology at Northwestern College, and Vonda Post, professor of business and economics at Northwestern, presented their research at the annual conference of the Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, held this summer at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Their paper, “It’s a Small World After All: A Case Study on the Development, Implementation and Assessment of a Summer Study Abroad Course to the Czech Republic,” assessed Northwestern’s Czech physical culture study abroad courses taught by Bartlett and Post, with emphasis on research conducted by Bartlett and Alexya Maassen, a 2014 exercise science graduate from Brandon, S.D. Their research focused on cross-cultural learning through participation in three short-term study abroad trips to the Czech Republic. Content analysis research performed on daily journals kept by students examined the relationship between in-country critical events and cross-cultural learning.

The conference was attended by professionals in Christian higher education who want to develop and contribute faith-integrated scholarly work and strengthen professional relationships within the fields of kinesiology and leisure studies.

A former wrestling and women’s golf coach at Northwestern, Bartlett now serves as a professor of kinesiology and chair of the department. A member of Northwestern’s staff since 1984, he was inducted into the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University, Bartlett earned a master’s degree from Drake University and a doctorate in physical education from the University of Arkansas.

Post is a licensed CPA and has experience in both public and private accounting. After graduating from Northwestern, she earned a master’s degree in professional accountancy from the University of South Dakota. A member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1988, Post served as a co-leader during the study abroad trip to the Czech Republic.