Springfield College Alumni Lead Prospective Students to East

By: Damon Markiewicz

Springfield College alumni working as high school physical education and health education teachers, along with graduates serving as school counselors, returned to East Campus on Thursday, November 2, 2023, to lead high school students through leadership skill development and career exploration as part of the 10th annual Youth in Motion program.

The day represents a collaboration between the Springfield College School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership, the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

As part of the Youth in Motion program, high school students visit the campus twice a year, once in the fall at East Campus, and again in the spring on the main campus. The fall event leads attendees through leadership skill development workshops, while also giving the students a chance to learn about careers and academic programs represented at the College. In addition, alumni leading the students to campus, take part in professional development sessions led by Springfield College faculty and staff.

Since the program’s inception, more than 40 students have enrolled at Springfield College as a result of attending the Youth in Motion program.

"The Youth in Motion program has many benefits, not only for the students, but also the faculty attending," explained Department of Physical Education and Health Education Assistant Professor Steven W. Groccia '00, PhD'13. "It’s really a recruitment tool that we use to invite students, typically sophomores and juniors, and they go through a leadership development program on our East Campus. They also have an opportunity to explore various careers that our school capsule and our department of physical education and health education have to offer. The second purpose is a way for us to give back to our alumni, who are physical educators and school counselors working in high schools, and allow to take part in professional development."

This fall's professional development was titled, "Understanding and Responding to the Mental Health of Young People," and was presented by Christine Johnston, MPH, director of health promotion, Lauren Gray, LICSW, Springfield College Counseling Center, and Adam Feit '07, PhD'20, assistant professor of exercise science and fieldwork coordinator.

"This program is wonderful for faculty, as discussions with peers help grow knowledge in many areas for better teaching and mentoring," added Groccia. "As an alumni of Springfield College, I am proud of the way the program is presented and how the students are given a chance to talk to current faculty about the pathways that Springfield College has to offer."

Led by Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Ben Taylor ’99, G’16 and Associate Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Angela Veatch G’07, the East Campus setting allows the students to focus on the activities with very little distractions available. Also, being at East Campus enables spatial awareness without limiting the students, and the setting is unfamiliar to most students, so their expectations for success are held in check until they use their physical and mental gifts in a team setting approach.

“I think the Youth in Motion program gives students an opportunity to work together as a group, as well as work on their communication and professionalism skills while being active,” said Cameron Rivest ’19, physical education teacher at William J. Dean Technical High School. “It also gives students the knowledge that there are career paths they maybe interested in pursuing just down the road at an incredible school like Springfield College.”