Jay Garrels, Ph.D.

Chair of Health & Physical Education

Headshot of Jay Garrels

Contact Info

About Dr. Garrels

Dr. Jay Garrels joined the Department of Health and Physical Education in August of 2016. Professor Garrels teaches a myriad of courses, including Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Legal & Ethical Issues in Sports, and Fitness & Wellness. In addition to those courses, he oversees the Freshmen Seminar, which is linked to the Foundations and Principles of Physical Education course. Lastly, Dr. Garrels is in charge of the internship program. The internship program is a very important experience for many soon-to-be graduates and Professor Garrels ensures that the students enrolled in the internship class have meaningful experiences during their site hours. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Garrels is involved with the Health and Fitness Club and volunteers at local schools in Jersey City. During these engagements, he teaches young students and their families about the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. He is also currently serving as the faculty representative to the Athletics Committee for the Board of Trustees. More

Professor Garrels joined Saint Peter’s from Seton Hall University where he completed his doctoral work with a specialization in Movement Science. While completing his Ph.D., he served as an Adjunct Professor in Seton Hall’s Athletic Training department and taught Exercise Physiology and Nutrition to graduate students. He also worked as the Graduate Assistant for Seton Hall’s Human Performance Lab focusing on kinematic, kinetic and EMG data
collection/analysis. The focus of Professor Garrels’ dissertation was a correlational study investigating a possible relationship between anthropometric ratios and performance measures in resistance exercises.

Prior to Seton Hall, Professor Garrels spent two years at East Stroudsburg University (PA) serving as an Instructor of six undergraduate courses in the Exercise Science department and as Faculty Coach for the men’s basketball program. He earned a Master’s of Exercise Science from East Stroudsburg University and published his thesis, which evaluated the impact of Red Bull on athletic performance of collegiate, male basketball players.

I believe that each student needs to be engaged on an individual level in order to develop the whole person. I let my students know that I am deeply invested in their journey through my courses. I buy into the belief that my students’ success is ultimately my success. To create this individual engagement and build the capacity for success in my students, I leverage my expertise is in the health sciences. The health sciences curriculum allows me to encourage and challenge my students to make improvements in their academic, physical, social, and spiritual selves. These improvements are outcomes related to the learning process. My goal is to send my students out into their communities more informed, ready to take on tough challenges, and to lead compassionately. My teaching philosophy allows me to meet this goal.

Research Interests

ways to decrease the risk of injury and improve performance

Student Organizations and Clubs

COURSES TAUGHT

Career & Accomplishments

Degrees

  • •Seton Hall University, Ph.D.

  • •East Stroudsburg University, M.S.

  • •Syracuse University, B.A.