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Health & Physical Education & Recreation

Title Image
Hand asian woman putting golf ball on tee with club in golf cour
Department Chair
Jason Shaughnessy
Contact Information

Office Phone

Main: 231-777-0385

Office Location:

Health and Wellness Center Room 126

Office Hours

Mon-Thu: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Closed Friday During Summer:

Overview of Health & Physical Education & Recreation

The mission of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Muskegon Community College is to improve our community’s overall wellness through educational opportunity and guided activity.  Our department is focused on creating lifelong learners and providing vocational training and transfer pathways for all students.

Fast Facts:

  • The HPER department employs 15 instructors (2 full time and 14 adjunct)
  • Class sizes typically range between 12-28 students
  • In a typical year the HPER department serves around 1350 students
  • 34 different classes are offered
  • 12 classes are offered online
  • Some classes meet off campus and allow for you to explore the local community (archery, billiards, beach volleyball, bowling, cycling, golf, and kayaking)

The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department is committed to increasing local health outcomes. In recent years, and with the opportunities MCC HPER department has provided community members, we are trending in the right direction. Muskegon is ranked among Michigan’s least healthy counties in MI (70th out of 83 via 2022 data).

See Muskegon County Health Data Here
            Physical Education Requirement Information

Physical Education is required as part of the Associate in Science and Art (ASA) degree at Muskegon Community College.

Students choose from 1 of 2 options:

For General Populations:

Complete PEA 101A Fitness, Wellness and Nutrition (Multiple Formats)

AND 

Any (PEA) activity class of choice (weight training, walking/jogging, yoga, tai chi, golf, basketball, archery, kayaking, judo… etc).  Students are encouraged to select something they enjoy or want to explore in more detail. (Multiple Formats)

For Exercise Science Majors:

Complete PEA 121 Human Movement Science (Online 3 credits)

ABS Scholarship

The HPER department at Muskegon Community College would love to support you financially on your educational journey.  We offer an Achievement Based Scholarship specific to our area of study.  Although we prefer Exercise Science and Public Health majors to apply, the scholarship is open to all students.

Scholarship Details:

Award Amount: Varies.

Requirements:

  • Students who demonstrate a particular creative talent or a high level of achievement in Health, Physical Education & Recreation.
  • This scholarship is not need based.
  • Complete required essay 
  • 2.00 overall GPA
  • 3.00 GPA in the performance area.
  • Maintain a full time status at MCC.
  • Attend courses in Health, Physical Education & Recreation each semester awarded.
  • Renewable up to 62 credits.
  • Two recommendations.
Apply Here

Past recipients include:

2019-2020

  • Josie Bos
  • John Gillies
  • Sophia Grimmer
  • Lia Maggini
  • Hunter Nelson
  • Ally Rypma

2018-2019

  • Jonathan Henry
  • Joshua Hilliard
  • Max Olmstead
  • Nolan Perrin
  • Shane Thompson
  • Caprice Wallace
  • Artrese Williams

2017-2018

  • Aisha Ahmad
  • Tyus Beach
  • Cole Charlesworth
  • Sergio Diaz
  • Chad Rensie
  • Samantha Taylor
  • Kalisa Williams

2016-2017

  • John Corey
  • Katherine Duplissis
  • Allysa Henderson
  • Brooke Hodges

2015-2016

  • Ben Fales
  • Lindsey Greer
  • Megan Romkema
  • Kellsie Rypma

2014-2015

  • Kaylie Caverly
  • Brittany D’avignon
  • Haley Maser

2013-2014

  • Nicholas Decouto
  • Katie McKinnon

2012-2013

  • Brooke Agers
  • Derek Rogers

2011-2012

  • Brett Merriman
  • Nicole Walsworth

Areas of Study

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Athletic Training
Dance
Dietetics
Exercise Science
Physical Therapy
Recreational Therapy

Related Degrees

Exercise Science MI Transfer Pathway

MI Transfer Degree

Public Health MI Transfer Pathway

MI Transfer Degree

Health Science (ASA)

MI Transfer Degree

Associate in Science and Arts (ASA)

MI Transfer Degree

Faculty & Staff

Jason Shaughnessy
Faculty - Department Chair

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Fenton, MI
  • High School: Lake Fenton HS, Fenton, MI
  • Professional Experience: Before relocating from Los Angeles, CA in the fall of 2017 my duties included teaching physical education and coaching volleyball at the secondary level.
  • Academic Degrees: BS – Physical Education from Western Michigan in 2005, MS – Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University, Azusa CA in 2014
  • Classes Taught: HE 102, PEA 103, PEA 101,PEA108, PEA121, PEP200, CSS100

MORE ABOUT ME

  • I grew up very involved in sport and activity, and wanted to become a professional athlete. When I came to the realization my dream would not come true I looked for other opportunities in sport and fell in love with the idea of becoming a physical educator. My experience at Western Michigan University as an undergrad HPER student, and strong connections I made with faculty sparked my desire to someday teach at the college level. I believe its important to do what you love!
  • My wife Jenny is also a physical educator and we live in Grand Haven with our 3 small children; sons Jenson and Jaxon, along with daughter Jaylin.
  • In my spare time I like to be outdoors. I love the beach, camping and hiking
Dan Rypma
Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Cedar Springs, Michigan
  • Professional Experience: Dan taught full time at Michigan Tech University and Grand Valley State University before arriving at Muskegon Community College in 2002. He is the current department chair. Dan teaches in all three disciplines: Health, Physical Education and Recreation. His resume also includes being a MHSAA certified official for over 20 years, reaching the state finals in both basketball and baseball.
  • Academic Degrees: B.A. Grand Valley State University, M.S. Grand Valley State University,
  • Classes Taught: HE 106 – Concepts of Health and Well-being, PEA 103 – Weight Training, PEA 118 – Cycling, PEA 201 – Aerobic Movement for Fitness, PEP 203 – Fundamentals of Coaching, REC 111 – Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, REC 123 – Recreation and Leisure Programming, PEA101A – Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition, PEA108 – Bowling, PEA 116 – Tennis, PEA121 – Human Movement Science

MORE ABOUT ME

  • Married for over twenty years
  • Father of five children
Lana Carson
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Muskegon, MI
  • High School: Mona Shores High School
  • Professional Experience: 25 years professional experience. Owner/ operator of a multipurpose fitness facility
  • Academic Degrees: B.S. Exercise Science / University of West Florida
  • Classes Taught: PEA101A – Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition, PEA104A – Walking, Jogging & Conditioning, PEA201 – Aerobic Movement for Fitness

MORE ABOUT ME

  • Dog lover. I have three dogs
  • My role models Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. I connect with the constant hardships and perseverance of Abraham Lincoln. His insight, compassion and leadership for a better world. Mother Theresa servant leadership, love and compassion for every person.
  • I have lived in Florida, Chicago and the Washington state but i am a true Michigander and I love our beautiful state!
  • I am an avid outdoors person, marathon runner and endurance sports junkie
  • I LOVE teaching at MCC because I love the school and the students! I thoroughly enjoy my subject and the connection and response from the students has been wonderful. They connect and engage and I know it is impacting their lives in a positive manner. No matter what profession they are pursuing, nothing is more important than their health and wellbeing.
  • Favorite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Gretchen Cline
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
  • High School: Northland High School
  • Professional Experience: RYT 200 Union Yoga, Traverse City, MI
    RYT 500 Integrated Yoga Therapy
    RYT 500+ Kundalini Yoga, Chicago, Ill; NM
  • Academic Degrees: BA Kenyon College, MA, PH D Ohio State University, ERYT-500
  • Classes Taught: PEA 100 Hatha, PEA 200 Kundalini Yoga

MORE ABOUT ME

  • I love painting
Wesley J. Davis
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Whitehall, MI
  • High School: Whitehall High School
  • Professional Experience: 1 year as sensei at Muskegon Community College
    7 years assistant instructor at Muskegon Community College
  • Academic Degrees: BA in Political Science, Western Michigan University
  • Classes Taught: Sport Judo and Self Defense

MORE ABOUT ME

  • I began studying judo at MCC under sensei Lucio Farias
  • 
I began Judo because of my experience in high school wrestling.
  • At WMU I took 2 years of Japanese
  • 
I make pickles, sauerkraut, and sourdough pretzels
Amanda Garvey
Adjunct Faculty

Cory Hershey
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Muskegon, MI
  • High School: Reeths Puffer High School
  • Professional Experience: Muskegon Community College Adjunct Instructor since 2011; Public School Educator since 2007
  • Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Western Michigan University
  • Classes Taught: PEA 101A- Fitness, Wellness and Nutrition, PEA 104A – Walking, Jogging and Conditioning

MORE ABOUT ME

  • Hockey player
  • Pretend golfer
  • Health advocate
  • Favorite Quote: “Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it.” Heather Morgan
Sydney McCann
Adjunct Faculty 

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Muskegon, MI
  • High School: Reeths-Puffer High School
  • Professional Experience: RYT 200
  • Academic Degrees: Bachelor’s of Arts in Writing, Grand Valley State University
  • Classes Taught: Hatha Yoga

MORE ABOUT ME

  • I have lived in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; and Dublin, Ireland
  • I have been practicing yoga for over a decade
  • I teach yoga at Rootdown in Downtown Muskegon
  • I am a passionate environmentalist
Melissa Vannette
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Holland, MI
  • High School: West Ottawa High School
  • Professional Experience: Certified Professional Life Coach; RYT 500
  • Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Grand Valley State University
  • Classes Taught: Hatha Yoga

MORE ABOUT ME

  • I’ve traveled to India twice to study yoga.
  • I’m a full-time writer.
  • I love pasta.
  • My favorite place on earth is the beach, followed closely by the mountains
Julie Weiler
Adjunct Faculty

MY BACKGROUND

  • Hometown: Cedar Springs, Michigan
  • High School: Cedar Springs High School
  • Professional Experience: Coached Volleyball 10 years; Coached MS track and cross country for 20+ years; Long term sub for PE and various other subject 20+ years
  • Academic Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Central Michigan University
  • Classes Taught: Health, Fitness and Nutrition; Walking, Jogging and Conditioning

MORE ABOUT ME

  • Both of my daughters ran for D1 colleges
  • Have been to 43 out of 50 states
  • Love sharing my experiences with my students
  • Love to run with my students
  • Would love to travel to Europe someday.
Jennifer Jettner
Adjunct Faculty 

Jane Wright
Adjunct Faculty

Dan Stranberg
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