UWindsor doctoral candidate in kinesiology Katie Hirsch will serve as student representative to the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity for 2022-23.

In this role, she will advocate for the roles and needs of students within the international organization, which seeks to advance the study of motor behaviour and sport and exercise psychology. Its multidisciplinary membership is made up of students, scholars, and professionals mainly in Canada and the United States.

Hirsch has been a member of the organization for several years and was drawn to it because of the focus on sport and exercise psychology, a subject which she is very passionate about.

“I knew that I had a lot to learn about being an impactful scholar and a future professor. NASPSPA’s welcoming community made me feel eager to seek out resources and assistance for learning more about how to be the professional that I hope to one day become,” said Hirsch. “I want to help other student members have those positive experiences and reap all of the benefits that NASPSPA has to offer, which is why I sought out a leadership position.”

Founding president of the Kinesiology Graduate Student Association, she is a researcher in the Sport Psychology and Physical Activity Research Collaborative laboratory. Her PhD supervisor Todd Loughead said he is excited to see her take on the role with the society.

“Katie’s leadership in NASPSPA is a natural extension of who she is not only as a leader, but also as one who has a desire to serve those around her,” said Dr. Loughead.

Hirsch expressed gratitude for the professors leading her lab.

“Dr. Loughead and Dr. Krista Chandler provide students with so much support regarding research opportunities, professional development opportunities, practical experiences, as well as care for their students,” she said. “They are fantastic role models and mentors to have in my life.”

Hirsch will join her NASPSPA colleagues for their annual conference later this month in Hawaii.

—Martin Vaughan

Beginning in June, faculty members across the University will have the opportunity to review lists of print books that are being considered for withdrawal from the Leddy Library collection.

The Leddy Library Collection Review and Deselection Project began in 2020 and has been underway during the pandemic. Librarians have conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis in evaluating the print circulating books in their respective subject areas, resulting in carefully curated lists of titles suitable for removal from the collection.

“We acknowledge that withdrawing books from the library collection can be controversial, but deselection is a normal and necessary activity for the ongoing maintenance and stewardship of a healthy and relevant library collection,” said University Librarian Selinda Berg.

To assure transparency and provide an opportunity for feedback, title lists will be divided and posted across two phases starting June 1. Faculty members will have the opportunity review the lists and submit requests for titles to be retained in the library collection or to request ownership of titles.

Phase one will run from June 1 to Aug. 31 and phase two from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. Faculty members will be alerted by email when lists for their academic area are posted for review.

Further information regarding the project background, methodology, and FAQs is available on the project website.

The Student Awards and Financial Aid Office has extended the application deadline for select entrance awards to June 30.

There is no limit to the number of applications a student can submit.

The office offers drop-in sessions to help with the application process; review reference materials and attend one of the drop-in sessions listed here.

Applications for in-course awards for the 2022-23 academic year will open Aug 1. Click here for helpful tips with navigating the award profile application.

Learn more about scholarships and financial aid for entering students at the University of Windsor.

WE-Spark Health Institute has released its fourth quarter report, highlighting key accomplishments from February to April 2022, wrapping up its third year.

Highlights include:

• added 54 new members for total of 860;
• doubled its Student Volunteer Network to 54 students logging over 800 hours this quarter;
• launched a local grant competition with 30 Letter of Intent submissions;
• hosted two think tanks with 86 participants;
• facilitated four adjunct appointments to the UWindsor Department of Biomedical Sciences to support local physicians and health-care providers to build their research programs;
• hosted “Cheers to Hope” event to feature local research and raise support for grants programs; and
• initiated an environmental scan into Health Innovation Parks, working closely with the new Windsor-Essex hospital system project to align infrastructure planning.

Read the full report here.

WE-Spark quarterly reports communicate outcomes and provides accountability to its members and the Windsor-Essex community. The institute is a partnership between the University of Windsor, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital designed to take healthcare to the next level through research. All quarterly reports can be found on its website.