Fallon Mitchell

By Kate Hargreaves 

Going to the gym plays a major role in Dr. Fallon Mitchell's (PhD Kinesiology, '26) mental and physical health. 

However, gyms are not always accessible or welcoming places for everyone, including people with a disability. 

Mitchell will receive the Governor General's Gold Medal at the University of Windsor's Fall 2026 Convocation in recognition of doctoral work that aims to reduce barriers to fitness spaces and create more welcoming facilities for all. 

By Kate Hargreaves 

While the benefits of exercise on mental, physical and social well-being are widely known, accessing inclusive and functional spaces to engage in exercise can be a challenge for people with a disability. 

In her doctoral research, recent UWindsor Kinesiology graduate and Vanier scholar Dr. Fallon Mitchell (PhD ’25) explored the accessibility—or the lack thereof—of fitness centres.