PKL Graduate Students

Paul Malinowski

I am a third-year doctoral student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Adapted Physical Education pedagogy. Before joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Canisius College (now known as Canisius University) and a master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Wyoming. My research interests primarily involve students with disabilities, the Sport Education model, and peer tutors.

Check out my Research Gate profile to learn more about my research!

Jenna Fesemyer

I am a fourth year Ph.D. student in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I also received both my bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, studying Kinesiology and Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. My research interests examine the relationship between sport engagement and physical literacy through the realm of Self-Determination Theory for youth with physical disabilities. 

Beth Frasca

I am a third year doctoral student at the University of Illinois who has a bachelors of science in Kinesiology (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and a masters degree in exercise physiology (Benedictine University). I worked in the field as a clinical exercise physiologist for 15 years and as an academic advisor for the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program for five years while teaching for the program as well. I am currently a full time instructor for the department of Health and Kinesiology. My research interests include finding a way to incorporate exercise physiology into the physical education classroom.

Minsook Kim

I am a third-year doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology(Pedagogy and Physical Activity). I got my bachelor’s and master’s degree in kinesiology(pedagogy) at Seoul National University. After completing my undergraduate, I started teaching physical education at a local high school in Seoul for six and a half years. My research interests lie in teacher socialization, continuing professional development, and health education. After PhD, I hope to land on an opportunity to continue doing research and teaching in higher education settings.

Tanner Wheat

My name is Tanner Wheat, and I am a third-year doctoral student from Macomb, Illinois. Before attending the University of Illinois, I was at Illinois State University where I received a bachelor’s degree in Community Public Health, and a master’s degree in sport & exercise psychology. While completing my master’s degree, I also spent time working professionaly in youth development administration. I am excited to be here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and further myself in higher education.

Kyle Ramlow

My name is Kyle Ramlow, and I am a second-year doctoral student. I received my B.S. and M.A. from Western Illinois University in Political Science with an emphasis on Public Administration. I studied accessibility laws and accommodation practices and wanted to gain more practical knowledge, so I obtained a M.S. from Western in Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Hospitality with a focus on Therapeutic Recreation. My research interests include the disconnect between disability rights and physical education and the way sport can be utilized for social change within the disability community. 

Jongho Lee

I am a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Science, with an emphasis in Sport Pedagogy, from Seoul National University. For the past six years, I taught and learned physical education alongside middle school students in Seoul. My research interests lie in integrating the concept of sustainability into social and emotional learning (SEL) in physical education. The driving forces in my life are soccer, grilling, and coffee in the company of good friends.