“My hope for my students is to be able to understand and apply theory to practical applications. To accomplish this, students in my courses are engaged in hands-on, experiential projects within the classroom, the campus community, and the Johnson County community.”

Title

Program Director, Associate Professor of Exercise Science

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis, IN
• M.S., Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis, IN
• B.S., Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis, IN

Year Joined Franklin

2013

Expertise

Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist – American College of Sports Medicine
Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer – American College of Sports Medicine

My graduate clinical and research experiences were focused on special populations such as pediatrics, individuals with chronic conditions, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. After working within service learning and community service offices in undergrad, I have a particular interest in how service learning and experiential engagement impact student learning. My focus since joining Franklin College has been to combine classroom learning with experiences that expose students to special populations-connecting both the theoretical and practical elements of exercise science.

What types of jobs are available with a degree in exercise science?

Exercise science provides students with the foundation to obtain a job in several directions. Exercise science students may follow their undergraduate education with graduate work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, athletic training, medical school, or other graduate level education. Students may also choose to enter the career field after completing their undergraduate work. While the list of different job opportunities is ever expanding, examples of jobs include strength and conditioning coach, clinical exercise specialist, community health educator, personal trainer, fitness management, or exercise physiologist.

There are many options for certifications in the health and fitness field. What certifications should I consider?

While there are several organizations that offer certifications, there are two primary organizations. The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association is a strong certification for students interested in working primarily with athletes after graduation. The “gold standard” organization in the field of exercise science is the American College of Sports Medicine. The exercise science curriculum at Franklin College focuses on the competencies needed to successfully pass the Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) certification through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Honors and Awards

STAR Advocate Award, Down Syndrome Indiana (2013)
Indiana Center for Exceptional Children Distinctive Service Award (2015)

Presentations

Horseley, M., Neuman, M., Nevins, M., Noerr, K. INSPIRE: A Transition Initiative. Presented at Council for Exceptional Children State Conference, February 15, 2015.
Noerr, K., Streepey, J., Stanton, K. Effects of an Adapted Dance Program on Young Adults with Down Syndrome. Presented at North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI, October 16-18, 2014.
Swinford, R. and Noerr, K. Kick-off Party. Presented at National Down Syndrome Congress Convention, July 11, 2014.
Swinford, R., Noerr, K., Kerr, M. Adapted Dance: Creative Movement for All. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Noerr, K. Brain, Body and Biomechanics: Use Technology in PE to Teach Science. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Richards, K., Plopper, A., Bower, G., Noerr, K. Finding Money to Supplement Your Advocacy Project: Case Studies of Successful Advocacy Grantees. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Swinford, R., Kerr, M., Noerr, K. Rhythm Activities for Teachers: Grades K-12. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Noerr, K., Johann, N. Lifelong Fitness: Fitness Class Design and Activities for the Geriatric Population. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Kerr, M., Swinford, R., Noerr, K. A Cross-curricular Approach to Zumba in the Classroom. Presented at Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at State Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 31-November 1, 2013.
Swinford, R., Kerr, M., Noerr, K. Adapted Dance-Creative Movement for All. Presented at American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Association and National Dance Association National Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 23-27, 2013.

Publications

Noerr, K., Swinford, R. (2013), Cross-Curricular Education: Combining a Cultural Story and Creative Movement into Physical Education. Indiana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Journal, May 2013.

What My Students Say

“Professor Noerr’s encouraging words have helped me gain confidence in myself. She is always there for me whenever I have questions about something in class and outside of class. She emails all of her health and exercise science students whenever there are internship opportunities that could help us in the future. She helped me get an internship over the summer at Franklin High School with the strength and conditioning coach, which helped me learn a lot about myself. Her positive attitude that she brings to class every day is why I love calling her my professor.” – Emily Roberts ’16

In My Spare Time…

In my spare time I love to teach dance. I teach Zumba for a community center, volunteer teaching rhythm-based activities to elementary and middle schools in the surrounding Indianapolis area, and co-direct a summer dance camp for individuals with Down Syndrome called Live*Laugh*Dance.