MSU’s Twietmeyer named National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Fellow
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—An esteemed faculty member in Mississippi State’s College of Education has been selected as a fellow of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education.
Gregg Twietmeyer, associate professor of kinesiology, is among the 2025 NAKHE class of fellows chosen for their contributions to the field and the organization. He will be inducted during the organization’s annual conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January.
Tyler Johnson, professor of kinesiology at Boise State University, nominated Twietmeyer because of his significant influence on the discipline.
“Specifically, his scholarly writings in the form of academic journal articles, textbooks, blog posts, etc., have made a substantial impact on the trajectory and direction of kinesiology in higher education,” Johnson said. “His work is must-read material for anyone studying kinesiology.”
In addition to his numerous publications, Twietmeyer initiated the iCanBike program at MSU to help children with special needs learn how to ride a bike. He also established the MSU Adapted Swim Camp, currently funded by a $75,000 grant from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, to teach swimming and water safety to children and adults with special needs. He has created 12 classes during his MSU tenure to increase activity levels and access to physical activity on campus, as well as deepen students’ understanding of the centrality of play and physical activity to human culture, history and well-being. Twietmeyer is a licensed soccer coach with more than 25 years of coaching experience at the recreational, club and interscholastic levels.
“Dr. Gregg Twietmeyer’s recognition as a NAKHE Fellow is a testament to his dedication to advancing the discipline of kinesiology,” said JohnEric Smith, department head. “His contributions to our department through teaching, scholarly work and transformative community programs, such as the iCanBike and Adapted Swim Camp, have enhanced our students’ experiences while addressing real-world needs. Dr. Twietmeyer exemplifies the excellence and innovation that define Mississippi State’s Department of Kinesiology, and it is an honor to see his work acknowledged at the national level.”
Twietmeyer has been a member of NAKHE since 2009 and an editorial board member of Quest, NAKHE’s flagship journal, since 2017. During NAKHE’s 2015 conference, he presented the Delphine Hanna lecture which honors a pioneer in the scientific teaching of physical education. He holds a doctorate in kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in art from Concordia University-Ann Arbor. Twietmeyer was a student athlete while at Concordia, where he was a four-year letter winner on the men’s soccer team.
MSU’s College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more about its Department of Kinesiology at https://www.kinesiology.msstate.edu/.
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