Standing Committees

The NCPEID bylaws identify eight standing committees that support and advance its mission. These committees include the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) committee, Awards Committee, Policy and Advocacy Committee, Membership Committee, Nominations and Elections Committee, Annual Program Planning Committee, Website Committee, and Research Committee. Committee members are either appointed by the President or elected by the membership.

About-Icon

What do the Standing Committees do?

Each standing committee is composed of a chair and additional members who carry out work aligned with a specific committee charge. Collectively, the committees support NCPEID’s mission through leadership in professional standards, advocacy, research, membership engagement, governance, conference planning, and communications.

Standing Committee Terms

Committee member terms vary by committee, as outlined in the NCPEID Bylaws. APENS Committee members serve four-year terms. Members of the Awards, Policy and Advocacy, Membership, and Research Committees serve three-year staggered terms. The Nominations and Elections Committee and Annual Program Planning Committee follow the terms associated with the relevant Board positions (typically two years). Website Committee terms vary by role, with the Website Manager serving a four-year term.

APENS Committee

The APENS Committee is responsible for updating APENS policies, implementing the APENS application and examination processes, and supporting ongoing APENS activities under the leadership of the committee chair.

  • Leah Ketcheson (Chair), Wayne State University, MI
  • Melissa Bittner, California State University, Long Beach, CA
  • Brock McMullen, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI
  • Scott McNamara, University of New Hampshire, NH
  • Amanda Young, California State University, Long Beach, CA

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee solicits, reviews, and recommends candidates for NCPEID awards to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The Committee also oversees the annual awards ceremony.

  • Deborah Shapiro (Chair), Georgia State University, GA
  • Allison Tsuchida (Chair-Elect), University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, HI
  • Lorena Gonzalez Espitia, University of Georgia, GA
  • Joanne Hunter, Dr. Joanne Hunter, LLC, VA
  • Michihito Ichihara, Old Dominion University, VA
  • Samantha Ross-Cypcar, University of Utah, UT
  • Chloe Simpson, Cal Poly Pomona, CA

Policy and Advocacy Committee

The Policy and Advocacy Committee promotes legislation and policies that support physical education, physical activity, and recreation for individuals with disabilities at the federal level. The committee also serves as a resource for state and local advocacy efforts, collaborates with professional organizations, and builds a national advocacy network.

  • Melissa Bittner (Chair), California State University, Long Beach, CA
  • Beth Foster, West Chester University, PA
  • Michael Laughlin, Southern Connecticut State University, CT
  • Sally Miedema, University of South Carolina, SC
  • Aubrey Shaw, University of Idaho, ID
  • Brad Weiner (Practitioner), Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Research Committee

The Research Committee oversees research activities conducted under the NCPEID umbrella, reviews research requests involving NCPEID members, and develops research initiatives that support the organization's mission.

  • Ali Brian (Chair), University of South Carolina, SC
  • Emily Gilbert, SUNY Cortland, NY
  • Joanne Hunter, Dr. Joanne Hunter, LLC, VA
  • T. Nicole Kirk, University of Georgia, GA
  • Aubrey Shaw, University of Idaho, ID
  • Alex Stribing, Kean University, NJ
  • Amanda Young, California State University, Long Beach, CA

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee devises, implements, and evaluates strategies to strengthen and expand NCPEID’s membership base, including recruitment, retention, and member engagement initiatives.

  • Lindsay Ball (Chair), SUNY Cortland, NY
  • Danielle Musser (Chair-Elect), Montrose Recreation District, CO
  • Jae Jung, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, WI
  • Lindsey Nowland, California State University, San Bernardino, CA
  • Heidi Ambrosius (Practitioner), Moreno Valley, CA
  • Sylvester Maduna (Student), University of South Carolina, SC

Nominations and Elections Committee

The Nominations and Elections Committee seeks candidates for open leadership positions, prepares the ballot, conducts elections, and reports results to the Board and membership.

  • Tara McCarthy (Chair), Cooperative Association of Special Education, IL
  • Iva Obrusnikova, University of Delaware, DE
  • Andrea Taliaferro, University of South Carolina, SC

Annual Program Planning Committee

The Annual Program Planning Committee plans, conducts, and evaluates all aspects of NCPEID’s annual summer conference, working closely with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

  • Chih-Chia (JJ) Chen (Chair), University of Iowa, IA
  • Tara McCarthy, Cooperative Association of Special Education, IL
  • Lorena Gonzalez Espitia (Student), University of Georgia, GA
  • Danielle Musser (Chair-Elect), Montrose Recreation District, CO