Northwest students recognized by NSCA, awarded with student memberships, resources

Four Northwest Missouri State University students have been granted student memberships to the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) for their academic determination and passion for health science.

The NSCA, a non-profit organization that provides research-based health and fitness resources to the public, allows its members to nominate four students each year for a student membership that includes academic journal access and discounted rates for NSCA conferences, clinics and certification exams.

Left to right are Hayden Froscheiser, Jadyn Barnes and Gail Lacox. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Dr. Kyle Ryan, an assistant professor of health science and wellness and a member of the NSCA Foundation’s Grant Committee, nominated Northwest students Jadyn Barnes, Hayden Froscheiser, Jay Greco and Gail Lacox for membership.

“I felt honored and like I was being rewarded for my hard work,” Barnes, a sophomore dietetics major from Kearney, Missouri, said. “I love learning new things about how we can get the human body to work and train optimally, so I was very excited.”

To be nominated for a student membership, Ryan explained, students must display a strong desire to learn, a passion for the health science and wellness field and a potential interest in one day pursuing NSCA certification. Given the resources that become available – such as research-based journal articles, informational podcasts and NSCA conference materials – membership is highly valuable to a health science student.

“The benefit of the student membership is that it allows the students access to a plethora of information that would otherwise not be accessible,” Ryan said.

Barnes, who aims to work with professional athletes and help them with healthy lifestyles and training techniques, plans to use NSCA resources to continue her learning and professional development outside of the classroom.

“This membership has improved my career as a student by providing a gateway to learning things I never would have before,” Barnes said. “I get to do research and learn about things I’m passionate about on my own time.”

Barnes says Northwest has made a significant impact on her educational development. She believes her coursework and relationships with faculty have allowed her to grow her passion for health science and wellness.

“Being a student at Northwest has allowed me to have many different opportunities,” Barnes said. “Northwest has benefitted my undergrad experience by providing helpful and intelligent professors who want to see me succeed and are willing to help me wherever they can.”