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Melissa Snyder

M. Snyder faculty photo

 

Name:  Melissa M. Snyder, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Department: Health Sciences
Program: Athletic Training
Rank: Associate Professor
Title: Program Director
Work Phone: 828-227-3505
Work Email: mmsnyder@wcu.edu
Office address : HHSB 363

Education:

Ph D, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Kinesiology
MS, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Exercise and Sport Science
BS, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Athletic Training

Licenses & Specialty Credentialing:
Athletic Training Certification, Board of Certification
Athletic Training License, North Carolina Board of Athletic Training Examiners
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Experience:
Dr. Melissa Snyder joined the School of Health Sciences as an Athletic Training faculty member in 2014. She spent one year as clinical coordinator before coming the Program Director in 2017. Prior to coming to WCU, she worked as an associate professor and Clinical Education Coordinator of the Athletic Training Program at Ashland University in Ashland, OH. Dr. Snyder has clinical experience with college athletics (DI, DII, DIII, and USCAA), youth sports (soccer, lacrosse, field hockey), adult club sports (rugby, soccer), Carolina Dynamo Soccer Team (USL League Two), US Soccer, Olympic Development Program (ODP) Soccer, and bull riding.

Area of Expertise:
Performance enhancement, spine evaluation & treatment, and evidence based practice.

Primary Teaching Responsibilities:
ATTR 360: Analysis and Dysfunction of the Upper Extremity
ATTR 370: Evaluation and Treatment of the Spine
ATTR 377: Physical Adaptations to Exercise
ATTR 415: Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training
ATTR 450: Radiology and Diagnostic Procedures
ATTR 484: Clinical Education VI

Scholarly Interests:
Dr. Snyder’s research focuses on athletic training education, including peer assisted learning, interprofessional education, and communication.

Publications

  • Snyder MM, Thrasher AB. Research beyond the laboratory setting: Incorporating the Boyer Model. NATA News. 2018;30(9):13
  • Virtue EE, Wells G, MacKusick CI, Murphy-Nugen AB, Rose AJ, Snyder MM. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Using a common read to transform a learning community. Learning Communities Research and Practice. 2018;6(1), article 4.
  • Snyder MM, Murphy-Nugen AB, Rose AJ, Wells G, MacKusick C. Implementation of competency based educational strategies into a first-year seminar for interprofessional healthcare science majors. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2017;15(3), article 4.
  • Snyder MM. Case Study in Athletic Training: A Case of a Collegiate Baseball Athlete with a Rare Heart Condition. In: SAGE Research Methods Cases Health. London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications; 2017. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781473980167

 Presentations

  • Snyder MM. Student Burnout After a 15-Week Immersive Clinical Experience (poster). Presented at the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association Symposium; March 10, 2019; Concord, NC.
  • Haskins GL*, Owen JW, Vaughan AJ, Wu J, Snyder MM. Traumatic Eye Injury in A Soccer Goalie: A Level 4 Rare Events Case Study (oral). Presented at the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association Symposium; March 10, 2019; Concord, NC.
  • Snyder MM. Drug Abuse (oral). Presented at the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association Symposium; March 9, 2019; Concord, NC.
  • Snyder MM, Murphy-Nugen AB. Using Poverty Simulations to Help Students Understand Poverty and Community Issues (oral). Presented at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Educators’ Conference; February 17, 2019; Grapevine, TX.
  • Snyder MM. Research Design and Methods (oral). Presented at the Education Research Forum (pre-conference workshop with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Educators’ Conference); February 15, 2019; Grapevine, TX.
  • Snyder MM. Pedagogy and Practice in Professional Clinical Education, presented as part of Eberman LE, Snyder MM, Walker SE. Learning across the career lifespan (oral). Presented at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting, June 28, 2018; New Orleans, LA.
  • Snyder MM, Peterson TD. Effects of Mandatory Peer Assessment/Feedback after Training on Psychomotor Skill Performance (poster). Presented at the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting, May, 2018; Ocean City, MD.
  • Snyder MM. How to make evidence-based improvements in teaching through educational research (platform). Presented at the Southeastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Biennial Educator’s Conference, March 9, 2018; Atlanta, GA.

 Service Interest:

Professionally, Melissa is on the Research and Education Foundation’s Free Communication Committee, that reviews and select research to be presented at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and serves of the Board of Certification’s Exam Development Committee, which writes the national certification exam. She was one of the founding members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Education Advancement Committee, which aims to support and foster educational research in athletic training.

At Western Carolina University, Dr. Snyder serves on the Student Transitions Advisory Board, Academic Learning Communities Steering Committee, the College Academic Action Committee, and the Educational Strategies Committee. She also is the medical director for the Valley of The Lilies 5K and Half Marathon.

Personal:

I live in Sylva with my husband David, identical twin redheaded sons- Jack & Tripp, and cat Myrtle. When not on campus, I can be found at the park, blowing bubbles, hiking, or enjoying all that Western North Carolina has to offer!

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