A student with the Wellness Elevated program coaches a community member through stretches and exercises at the Mountaineer Field House.
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science

Community Engagement: Real-World Wellness in Action

Empower communities through fitness, nutrition & education.

Put your passion for fitness, nutrition, and education into action with real-world experiences. From leading senior balance classes and nutrition workshops to running after-school programs in local schools, Western’s Recreation and Exercise & Sport Science programs help you strengthen communities while building your future in health and wellness.

A student leads a blance class for senior community members for the Wellness Elevated program.

Lead and Inspire Through Community Wellness Programs

As part of Western’s Exercise & Sport Science program, students take their learning into the community—designing fitness programs for individuals with clinical conditions, leading senior wellness classes through Wellness Elevated, and teaching physical education in local schools. You might run after-school activities with Gunnison Parks and Recreation or lead hands-on nutrition workshops that help families make healthier choices. Whether you’re building strength, confidence, or community connections, Western gives you the tools, support, and real-world experience to grow as a leader in health and wellness.

A professor assists a community member with a fitness exercise.

Develop Real-World Wellness Programs

Through Wellness Elevated, you’ll create supervised exercise plans for individuals with clinical conditions, gaining experience in fitness programming and rehabilitation. You’ll work directly with clients to help improve mobility, strength, and overall health—building confidence in your ability to make a real impact in clinical and community settings.

A student takes a community member's blood pressure.

Lead Nutrition and Health Education

Design meal plans and host workshops on healthy eating, meal prep, and grocery shopping, strengthening your expertise in sports nutrition and community outreach. You’ll learn how to communicate complex health information in accessible ways, preparing you to promote healthy habits across diverse populations.

Students smile and check their watches before a time trial in a HAP class

Gain Teaching & Coaching Experience

Work with local schools to develop and deliver physical education lessons, helping kids stay active while refining your instructional skills. These experiences give you the tools to manage classes, motivate students, and adapt physical activities to different age groups and abilities.

A student makes an exercise plan on the stadium bleachers.

Plan After-School Programs

Partner with Gunnison Elementary School and Gunnison Parks and Recreation to organize and lead youth physical activity programs, applying the CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model to promote overall wellness. You’ll learn how to plan engaging activities, support social-emotional development, and encourage lifelong healthy habits in young learners.

A student explains a fitness program to a community member visiting the gym.

Build a Strong Professional Network

Collaborate with faculty, health professionals, and community leaders, establishing valuable connections for future internships and job opportunities. These relationships, built through hands-on experiences and mentorship, give you a strong foundation as you launch your career in health, fitness, or education.

Real-World Roles

Hands-on experience is central to the Recreation and Exercise & Sport Science programs at Western, giving students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in real-world health, fitness, and education settings. Whether working locally or pursuing opportunities across the state, students build strong professional networks while gaining practical, resume-ready skills.

Here are just a few of the hands-on experiences our students have taken part in:

  • Designing and leading individualized fitness programs through the Wellness Elevated initiative

  • Teaching physical education and running after-school programs at Gunnison Elementary School

  • Leading community-based balance, mobility, and strength classes for older adults

  • Hosting nutrition education workshops focused on meal planning and healthy habits

  • Gaining professional experience with local parks and recreation departments and regional health organizations

These experiences prepare students to make an immediate impact in the fields of health promotion, sports science, and community wellness.

A exercise and sport science student assists two community members in a fitness exercise.

Experience wellness in action.

The best way to get to know Western—and our Recreation and Exercise & Sport Science programs—is to see them in action. Schedule a campus visit, tour our wellness and training facilities, and meet with a professor from the program. You’ll experience the supportive, hands-on environment where future health and wellness leaders are made.

Plan a Visit