Rate My Professor Noelle Selkow

Dr. Noelle M. Selkow serves as School Director and Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University, where she specializes in athletic training. She earned her Ph.D. in sports medicine and Master’s degree in athletic training from the University of Virginia, along with a Bachelor’s degree from Mount Union College. Selkow joined Illinois State University in 2011 as an assistant professor and progressed to full professor. Throughout her career, she has held significant leadership positions, including Graduate Program Director and Director of Graduate Athletic Training Education in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation. She served as Interim Director of the Graduate School starting in January 2019 and was appointed permanent Director in 2021, a role she held until 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, she became Director of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, marking her as the first permanent woman school director for the unit. In these capacities, she has overseen graduate admissions, maintained program accreditation, developed new graduate and certificate programs, and fostered personalized communication with prospective students.

Selkow's research interests encompass athletic training, with emphases on cryotherapy, blood flow responses, diagnostic ultrasound, and manual therapy. Her scholarly contributions include key publications such as 'Short-term effect of muscle energy technique on pain in individuals with non-specific lumbopelvic pain: a pilot study' (2009, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy), 'Transversus abdominis activation and timing improves following core stability training: a randomized trial' (2017, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy), 'Subcutaneous thigh fat assessment: a comparison of skinfold calipers and ultrasound imaging' (2011, Journal of Athletic Training), 'Self-myofascial release of the superficial back line improves sit-and-reach distance' (2019, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation), 'Dry cupping therapy for improving nonspecific neck pain and subcutaneous hemodynamics' (2020, Journal of Athletic Training), 'Effects of immobilization and re-mobilization on knee joint arthrokinematic motion quality' (2020, Journal of Clinical Medicine), and 'Vibroarthrographic analysis of patellofemoral joint arthrokinematics during squats with increasing external loads' (2020, BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation). She has mentored more than 20 students through research projects and chaired over 10 thesis committees. Selkow's service record is distinguished, including roles as Lead Institutional Review Board departmental representative, member of the Graduate Research Council, University Research Council, College Research Council, and various accreditation and search committees. She received the Service Initiative Award in 2017 for exemplary service and a 2025-26 Advancing Research and Creative Scholarship (ARCS) Track I award for her project on skeletal muscle in pregnancy and maternal health disparities. Additionally, she was inducted into the 2022 Million Dollar Club for cumulative external funding achievements.