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Plymouth State University
MSC 11
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264-1595
Irene Cucina, D.P.E.
Associate Professor of Health EducationCoordinator, Graduate Heath and Physical Education Program
Office phone number: (603)535-2217
e-mail: icucina@plymouth.edu
Department of Health and Human Performance
Administrative contact: Jamie Stalnaker
Administrative contact phone number: (603)535-2293
Profile
Irene began teaching at Plymouth State University in 1998 as an Assistant Professor in the HHP Department. She teaches in both the undergraduate physical education and graduate health and athletic training degree programs. Irene is the Graduate Health and Physical Education Program Coordinator and is involved in both the M.Ed in Health as well as the M.Ed. in Athletic Training Programs. The graduate classes that she has taught includes: Fitness; Substance Abuse; Wellness Concepts for Educators; and Research Design for the Health Sciences and Statistics for the Health Sciences. Irene has served on 11 master thesis committees.
Degrees and Education
Irene received her undergraduate degree at Northeastern University majoring in Athletic Training and Health and Physical Education, Teacher Certification (1982). While at Northeastern, she played Field Hockey, was a member of the Novice Crew team, and was a student athletic trainer for the Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Teams. Irene also worked for the Intramural Department training and scheduling lifeguards as well as certifying students and staff in First Aid and CPR. In 1992, Irene completed her M.Ed. at Cambridge College with an emphasis in Curriculum and Administration. In 1996, Irene was chosen as the Massachusetts Secondary Physical Education Teacher and in 1997 received the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport Massachusetts Pathfinder Award.
Irene went to Springfield College to complete her doctoral work in 1996. While there she won the 1998 Eastern District Student Investigator Award for her research entitled “Methods of Authentic Assessment Techniques in Secondary Physical Education”. Her dissertation entitled “Specificity of Feedback Using Alternative Assessment Techniques in a Secondary Physical Education Badminton Class” was completed in January 1999.
Associations, Boards and Committees
- Co-advisor of the HPER Club
- Co-advisor of the Phi Epsilon Honor Society
- Chair of the HHP Fitness and Technology Committees
- Member of the Promotion and Tenure committee
- Member, Budget Advisory committee
- Chair, Assessment Advisory group since 2004
- Member, Graduate Council
Professional Experience
Irene began her teaching career in 1982 at Newton North High School in Newton, Massachusetts. She was the Aquatic Director for the City of Newton and the Director of Intramurals for the High school. She coached field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse, winning many conference titles during her tenure. Irene started the Girl’s Lacrosse program at Newton North during her first year of teaching and brought the team to the State Finals 6 times. Irene won numerous awards for her coaching including: suburban League Basketball Coach of the Year (1985-1990); Boston Globe Girl’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year (1996); and Bay State League Field Hockey Coach of the Year (1994).
Irene has been actively involved in the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) organization at the state, district, and national level for over 15 years. She has served as the President of the Eastern District Association of the AAHPERD which includes 14 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Irene was recently nominated as the EDA District Representative to the AAHPERD Board of Governors. She has presented at numerous conferences at all levels including: Massachusetts AHPERD, NHAHPERD, RIAHPERD, MDAHPERD, VTAHPERD, NCAHPERD, EDA, and the New England Educational Research Organization. Irene has been writing health and physical education curriculum for the past 15 years and enjoys working with teachers in the field.
Irene has received numerous awards for her teaching, coaching and service. She was awarded the 2005 EDA Honor Award which is the highest honor the district bestows on a member. Irene has also been awarded the 2006 AAHPERD Honor Award for service to the national organization.
