UK College of Education faculty member honored for advancing health, physical education
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2026) — Heather Erwin, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky, is being recognized for her leadership in advancing health and physical education — work that is improving the well-being of students and communities in Kentucky and beyond.
Erwin, who is also chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, was presented the Southern District Service Award during the SHAPE America National Convention.
“We’re very happy for Dr. Erwin to receive this national recognition,” UK College of Education Dean Nicholas J. Pace, Ed.D, said. “It speaks to her long-term commitment and impact in advancing health and physical education. Dr. Erwin’s passion for connecting teaching, research and leading-edge practice reflects the best in the field.”
For nearly two decades at UK, Erwin has helped prepare future educators and health professionals while expanding research and professional development efforts that benefit schools and communities across Kentucky.
“As educators, our responsibility is not only to advance research and knowledge in our field but to make sure that work reaches teachers and students where it matters most,” Erwin said. “When we support educators and strengthen schools, we help create healthier communities across Kentucky. I enjoy collaborating and leading to uplift others, whether advancing SHAPE America’s strategic priorities, supporting colleagues and students or fostering stronger connections between research and practice.”
Erwin leads faculty and students while championing innovation in teacher preparation and professional development.
She currently serves as chair of the SHAPE America Research Council and has held multiple leadership and reviewer roles for the national organization during the past 15 years. She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education and remains an active editorial board member and mentor to emerging scholars.
Her recent honors include being a North American Society for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance 2024 Fellow and being invited to present the Raymond A. Weiss Lecture through SHAPE America in 2023.
Beyond national service, Erwin has reviewed promotion and tenure cases for more than a dozen universities, served on more than 100 graduate committees and provided professional development for countless teachers across Kentucky and the Southern District. She also represented UK as a fellow of the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program last year.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.