Springfield College Faculty Member Shares the Impact of East Campus
Steven W. Groccia '00, PhD '13, right, details how the Springfield College experience molded him into becoming a successful student, and now faculty member.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College alumni working as high school physical educators, health educators, and school counselors, bring their students to East Campus to take part in the annual Youth in Motion Program during the fall semester. The day is hosted by the Springfield College Department of Physical Education and Health Education, in collaboration with the Office of Alumni and Family Relations, and Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Youth in Motion has been designed to facilitate leadership development and career exploration for high school sophomores and juniors. In addition, the program provides professional development opportunities for teachers and counselors. It’s a day where both students and their leaders can be challenged to step out of their comfort zones, in a very supportive way, which makes East Campus the perfect setting.
Eleven years ago, Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Health Education Michelle Moosbrugger '00, PhD'06, was at the forefront of starting the Youth in Motion program at East Campus. Moosbrugger now teams with Associate Professor of Physical Education and Health Education Steven W. Groccia '00, PhD'13, in leading the efforts to solidify the program’s growth.
Groccia recently expressed what makes Youth in Motion so impactful for alumni and students, while also going into detail how the Springfield College experience molded him into becoming the successful student he aspired to be, while also now being a proud faculty member guiding our current students as well.
Why is Youth in Motion so successful?
Steven Groccia - Youth in Motion started with the idea of trying to give back to alumni who were working in health education, physical education, or school counseling. In addition, there was a focus of leveraging their existence in public schools or private schools to help the College recruit potential students. So, this idea was created to bring the alumni and their students to East Campus and emphasize the importance of physical activity and movement.
As part of the day, the alumni take part in free professional development, while at the same time, the students go through a leadership development program that's run by the College students currently in the Adventure Education master’s program. The goal is to have the prospective high school students enroll at Springfield College and have them know they will be trained to work as leaders in whatever field they choose. Following their visit to East Campus in the fall, the students and the alumni are invited back to campus in the spring semester for even more career exploration.
Do you have a favorite Youth in Motion moment?
Steven Groccia – There are many favorite moments, but just one example of many is the story of Emma Gagne ’24, G’25. She developed from really a quiet, reserved person, to having the confidence to present at the Shape America National Convention her junior and senior years as an undergraduate, and again as a graduate student. Seeing her confidence grow is very rewarding. Emma was a part of the Youth in Motion program and there is no question the experiences she had with Youth in Motion at East Campus only developed that inner confidence to seize the moment of presenting on a national stage in front of her peers.
What is the alumni feedback?
Steven Groccia - Springfield College alumni love coming back to campus with the high school students they are working with because our alumni want the College to always be successful. I think there's a sense of pride with alumni in being able to show off the campus, especially East Campus. They can show students where they came from and highlight the strong educational and personal values they learned while being a part of programming at East Campus. I think the alumni really appreciate the professional development options we offer because we make sure the topic changes from year to year. At the end of the day, they appreciate the free professional development, they love highlighting that Springfield College played a special part in helping them become who they are today.
How does the setting of East Campus enhance Youth in Motion?
Steven Groccia - We have a lot of attendees from the Springfield Public Schools, and it’s a great way to show educators that they have this great outdoor learning center right in their immediate area. It’s a place they can take advantage of for team-building exercises and leadership development programs. 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 programming at East Campus really provokes groups to step out of their comfort zones, to challenge themselves, as well as develop other leadership qualities like positive communication and active listening skills. The setting at East Campus just fosters a sense of personal growth, which really represents what Youth in Motion is all about.
What was your first exposure to East Campus?
Steven Groccia - I think my first exposure was when I was a student attending Outdoor Pursuits, known historically as freshman camp. From my time as a student, I've seen the shift to the current Outdoor Pursuits, where I've now served as a unit leader as a faculty member. In addition, my children have been involved in Camp Massasoit during the summer, and as a family, we have taken part in the Camp Massasoit family nights. In addition, there are times during the semester where I just need to take a break, so I head to East Campus and enjoy the setting. There is sense of calm and self-reflection that occurs at East Campus that is something I always appreciate.
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Why has Springfield College been a good fit for you as both a student, and now as a faculty member?
Steven Groccia - It gives me goose bumps thinking about my time walking on campus with my parents for the first time. I was an athlete growing up in high school, and I knew I wanted to be around sports. I recognized the content area of Physical Education, and when I started looking at schools that offered Physical Education, I realized Springfield College is the best when it comes to preparing students for a career in PE.
There was a feeling that I had walking on campus that just told me that this is where I belong. I was in the traditional four-year undergraduate program, and was I able to enjoy my time as a student-athelete on the men’s soccer team. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I was thankful to return as a doctoral student. I was able to help out the men’s soccer team and head coach Peter Haley ’77 as a PhD student. When I graduated with my PhD, I knew that if there was ever a job opening, I would apply to Springfield College.
Why was returning to Springfield College as a faculty member so important?
Steven Groccia - It was exciting to realize I had an opportunity to work with so many people that helped mentor me during my time as a student at Springfield College. I was living in Delaware, and I had just purchased a house with my fiancé. Our family was living in our new house we built, it was our dream home. At this time, I looked at my wife and said, “We might have to move, I'm applying for a job at Springfield College.” Springfield College is a special place and I always knew I wanted to return. Attending the College is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I now love working with our students and the type of student Springfield College attracts. It's about family and helping each other, and those are qualities that remain alive and well in our campus community.
