Rate My Professor Kandice Porter

Kandice Porter is a Professor of Health Promotion and Physical Education in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services at Kennesaw State University. She has held leadership roles including Department Chair, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Interim Associate Dean. Porter has driven program innovations, such as the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Science degree and the implementation of the first fully kinesthetic university classroom to foster active learning. She employed data analytics to significantly reduce failure rates in health promotion courses. Additionally, Porter advises graduate students in programs like the Graduate Certificate in Public Health and participates in faculty engagement initiatives.

Her research specializations encompass school health, sexuality education, interprofessional education, physical activity, nutrition, weight management, and behavioral self-regulation for exercise and eating. She collaborates on Wellstar College research projects in human sexuality with Jane Petrillo, LaNita Wright, and Mary Ukuku; interprofessional education with Monica Nandan; and public health efforts involving multiple faculty including Monica Swahn and Ping Johnson. Porter contributed to an interdisciplinary mental health project in Kenya. Key publications include "Weight loss and the prevention of weight regain: evaluation of a treatment model of exercise self-regulation generalizing to controlled eating" (Annesi et al., 2016, The Permanente Journal); "Effects of instructional physical activity courses on overall physical activity and mood in university students" (Annesi et al., 2017, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport); "Autism knowledge among pre-service teachers specialized in children birth through age five: Implications for health education" (Johnson et al., 2012, American Journal of Health Education); "Reciprocal effects of exercise and nutrition treatment-induced weight loss with improved body image and physical self-concept" (Annesi & Porter, 2015, Behavioral Medicine); and "Developing Kinesthetic Classrooms to Promote Active Learning" (Culp et al., 2020, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance). Her scholarship highlights psychosocial benefits of health interventions. Porter serves on committees such as the Undergraduate Policies and Curriculum Committee, Digital Learning Advisory Committee, and SHAPE America Publications Committee.