Adam Katchmarchi

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Health & Physical Education (B.S.Ed.) with a minor in Aquatics from Slippery Rock University (2012). My graduate work includes a Master of Science in Sport Management (M.S.) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2013) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Coaching & Teaching Studies (Ph.D.) with a cognate specialization in Sport Management from West Virginia University (2017). I am currently an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Sciences at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I teach in our Sport Administration undergraduate, Sport Management graduate program, and support our Health and Physical Education and Exercise Science programs. I'm also the executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on water safety and drowning prevention in the United States. I also serve as a steering committee member of the US National Water Safety Action Plan and as the research committee chair for the Aquatic Coalition.

 

2. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why.

One of the most valuable experiences I had at SRU isn't a rosy story. I'll never forget my first field experience in my Introduction to Teaching class with Dr. Betsy McKinley (now retired). I woke up late and missed the bus to the field experience. I knew the consequences. I still remember to this day that I lost 15% of my final grade. Dr. McKinley laid out her policies from day one of class. I emailed her immediately and owned up to my mistake. The next class she brought it up to everyone and commended me for owning up to my mistake. From that day forward, Dr. McKinley became one of my biggest supporters. She taught me very early on at SRU that being a teacher was a big responsibility and you had to take it seriously. At the end of my junior year, Dr. McKinley was chair of the department and presented me with a student service scholarship award. It was special to have her present that to me knowing that she played a massive role in shaping me as a young professional. 

 

3. Name an SRU faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.

There are several retired and current facility at SRU, particularly in the Physical & Health Education Department who positively impacted my life. None more than Mr. Robert Ogoreuc who still teaches at SRU. As a freshman at SRU, I expressed to Mr. Ogoreuc my desire to pursue a career in aquatics and teaching. He took me under his wing, mentored me, and gave me opportunities to gain valuable experiences while I was an undergraduate student at SRU. Mr. Ogoreuc constantly presents his students opportunities to grow as professionals, inside and outside of the classroom. I took advantage of every opportunity he presented me with, and it shaped my career more than anything else. If it wasn't for Mr. O, I wouldn't be where I am today. He remains a close mentor and friend to this day.

 

4. What initially piqued your interest in pursuing a degree in education?

I was originally going to pursue a career in journalism. I decided to become a lifeguard in high school and fell in love with the job. I then got certified as a CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Swimming Instructor through the American Red Cross while I was in high school. I decided I really wanted to make a career out of this. I then found out about the aquatic focus and Mr. Orgoeuc during my senior year in high school. SRU was the only school I applied to after I found the program and toured the campus. The quality of the SRU program in both aquatics and teacher education have served me extremely well throughout my career. 

 

5. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? I really have my dream situation.

Through my role as the executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, my scholarship, and industry service, I stay highly engaged and positively impact my field. At the same time, through my role as a professor, I can take that real world experience and bring it into the classroom for my students. By far, the most rewarding part of the job is the students I work with. Seeing a student take real interest in their studies and having the opportunity to educate and mentor them is special. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Empathy, relevancy, and impact. In today's world, having empathy can go a long way. The pandemic highlighted the challenges we all face, and those challenges often affect students in the classroom. While we can't always impact the circumstances that are affecting our students, we can impact our attitude and the way we treat students. In my opinion, it is also important for a teacher to stay relevant with the content they are teaching. Our world is constantly evolving, and to best connect with our students, we must be constantly evolving ourselves as educators. Lastly, I think it comes down to the impact we make in the classroom. You may not impact every student who sits in your class, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try every day to positively impact the students that we have the privilege and opportunity to educate.