Faculty and Staff (L - Z)

Faculty and staff in the Department of Physical and Health Education at 91�� have experience as physical educators, health educators, coaches, fitness trainers, athletes, and fitness buffs. Combining both personal and professional expertise in physical and health education means that faculty and staff provide students with the knowledge of best academic and practical applications.

Dr. Joanne Leight, Department Chair

Office:109 A Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2795
Email: joanne.leight@sru.edu

Dr. Joanne Leight serves as professor and chair of the Department of Physical and Health Education. Prior to starting at 91�� in 1996, Leight worked as a professor and softball coach at Westminster College for nine years. Since arriving at 91��, Leight has taught 23 different courses and created the Minor in Coaching. She serves as the NCAA Faculty Athletics representative for the university. She earned her B.S. degree and M.S. from 91�� and her Doctorate of Education from Duquesne University. Her website is: and you can follow her on X/Twitter, @dr_leight.

Dr. Randy Nichols

Office: 110 G Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2818
Email: randall.nichols@sru.edu

Dr. Randy Nichols serves as professor of the Department of Physical and Health Education at 91��. Prior to his tenure at 91��, Nichols worked as an administrator, faculty member, and coach for six years at Penn State University. He is interested in physical activity, wellness, and fitness and his hobbies include running, cycling, and outdoor actives. He received his B.S. and M.Ed. from 91�� and his Doctorate of Education from West Virginia University.

Mrs. Sherri Novad

Office: 109 Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.4904
Email: sherri.novad@sru.edu

Sherri Novad began working at 91�� in April, 2017 in the Department of Physical and Health Education.

Mr. Robert E. Ogoreuc

Office: Pool - Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2816
Email: robert.ogoreuc@sru.edu

Robert E. Ogoreuc is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education at 91��. He also serves as aquatic director for the department overseeing the scheduling and operation of the lifeguards for academic classes. He received his B.S. in health and physical education with an emphasis in aquatic administration at Indiana University of Pennsylvania master of education degree in physical education and athletic administration at 91��. Ogoreuc has had the honor of working on the American Red Cross Water Safety Advisory Group that revised the Water Safety Instructors program in 2004. He has also worked as a Technical Reviewer for their Lifeguard Manuals. He has contributed to the United States Lifesaving Association, YMCA and StarGuard lifeguard textbooks.

Mr. Jeffrey Smith

Office: 110E Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2815
Email: jeffrey.smith@sru.edu

Jeff Smith serves as assistant professor of outdoor adventure education 91�� where he also earned a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Education degree. He has served as coordinator/counselor of outdoor programs at Youth Alternatives in Northwestern Pennsylvania and coordinator of the Center for Outdoor Recreational Experience (CORE) at Edinboro University prior to working at 91��. Smith has presented, lectured, and led hands-on-demonstrations at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels. His presentations include Pennsylvania State Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD), , , and the to name a few. Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Higher Education invited him to China, where he presented at five separate universities to faculty members and graduate students.

Dr. Traci Zillifro

Office: 110F Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2284
Email: traci.zillifro@sru.edu

Dr. Traci Zillifro is a professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education at 91��. She received her B.S. in physical education and health from Kent State University and a M.A. in counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Zillifro earned a PhD in park, recreation, and tourism management from Penn State, where she taught for one year. Research interests include sustainable tourism, outdoor recreation, and marketing, as well as active leisure and lifetime physical fitness. Prior to her employment at 91��, Zillifro worked for a number of years in the field of outdoor recreation and spent five years at Edinboro University as the coordinator for campus outdoor recreation.

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Physical and Health Education

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