50 Notable Alumni

To help with college expenses, Josh served in the Army National Guard from 1992 to 1998, reaching the rank of Sergeant. After attending Parkland where Josh studied Physical Education, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in 1998, a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois in 2001, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in 2004.

Josh’s professional experience includes being an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation at Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois from 2001 to 2003; an instructor at Parkland College from 2000 to 2003; a Personal Trainer, In Motion Fitness, Chico, CA, from 2009 to 2011; director of the Chico Bodybuilding Contest from 2007 to 2014; a professor at California State University, Chico, CA, from 2003 to the present; and as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Chico, CA, from 2014 to the present.

In 2011, Josh received the Exemplary Online Instruction Award from the President and Provost at California State University.  His scholarship focuses on promoting health through lifetime physical activity with an emphasis on the use of technology in physical education settings. He has an impressive list of publications and presentations across the country as well as overseas. In addition, he is a member of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; and is a member of the Society of Health and Physical Educators.

Josh’s most memorable moment at Parkland is “enrolling in a 7 a.m. Algebra course and being committed to never being late! I also fondly remember working in the fitness center and helping people learn about exercise. This likely sparked my interest in exercise and fitness. I’m so grateful for Brooke Estabrooke, Connie Richardson, and Tim Wulf (faculty at the time) who gave me a chance to work there and helped me so much along the way.”