Dr. Melanie Adams

Degrees and Credentials: BS Physical Education, magna cum laude, Keene State College MEd Athletic Training, University of Virginia PhD Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Professional Interests: Exploring the relationship between gender identity and the type of exercise one engages in, removing barriers to physical activity for transgender/non-binary persons, using wearable technology and video to improve fitness programming, teaching research literacy for best-practices.

Professional Background: Spent her early career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and College Instructor before pursuing a PhD at UNC-Greensboro. While at Greensboro, she was an NIH Pre-doctoral Trainee with the School of Nursing (2008-2012), learning epidemiology and intervention research methods.

Awards & Accolades: Mentored SURF Grants 2015 & 2021, NH-INBRE Seed Grant 2015, KSC Faculty Development Grants, 2014, 2017, & 2021; Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society, 2011; Grant Recipient, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2011. Grant Recipient, North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, 2011.

Selected Professional Work: Adams, M.M., Winsor, E., Hatch, S., Parmelee, C. (2022). Development of a Standard Push-up Scale for College-aged Females. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(4), 820-833.

Adams, M.M. & Jill Descoteaux (2021). A Mixed-methods Analysis of a Resistance Training Intervention for Trans Males. International Journal of Sport & Society, 12(1), p.127-145.

Adams, M.M. & Chelsea Freleng (2018). The Effects of a Brief Fitbit Intervention on Physical Activity & Cardiometabolic Risk in Office Workers. Journal of Physical Activity Research, 3(2), 82-88.

Adams, M.M., R. Tomaselli, A. DeLuke. (2017). Reliability of the ImPACT in High School Student-Athletes with Attention Deficits, Hyperactivity, or Learning Disabilities. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, 9:169-176.

Adams, M. M. and Gill, D. (2015). Reducing Sedentary Behavior: Active Steps for Overweight Women. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 23, 9-18.

Why do you like teaching at KSC? As an alum, I feel connected to the college and its students. Keene State is big enough to offer lots opportunities and yet small enough that we get to know each other.

Give an example of one of your most affirming moments teaching at KSC. Every time a student comes to me for help. It takes courage to admit you don’t understand something. I really appreciate students that take the extra step and open themselves up to new material.

What do you want your students to take away from their experience with you? It is more important to work at finding an answer than it is to know something immediately. The ability to find information and use it is more powerful than a photographic memory.