Rate My Professor Paul Rukavina

Paul Rukavina serves as Professor and Program Director in the School of Health Sciences at Adelphi University, within the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences. He earned a Ph.D. in Kinesiology specializing in Pedagogy and Motor Learning from Louisiana State University in 2003, a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education focusing on Motor Learning and Development from Arizona State University in 1998, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1996. In his role at Adelphi University, based in Woodruff Hall 171, he directs the Health Education Program and contributes to the Department of Health and Sport Sciences, teaching courses in motor behavior and research methods.

Dr. Rukavina's research interests encompass teaching and learning in physical education, with particular emphasis on obesity bias, student motivation, motor learning, and Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. His extensive publication record includes highly influential peer-reviewed articles such as 'Measuring students’ perceptions of personal and social responsibility and the relationship to intrinsic motivation in urban physical education' (Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2008), 'Technology integration in secondary physical education: Teachers’ attitudes and practice' (Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 2010), 'An amotivation model in physical education' (Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2010), 'School physical activity interventions: do not forget about obesity bias' (Obesity Reviews, 2008), and 'A service learning based intervention to change attitudes toward obese individuals in kinesiology pre-professionals' (Social Psychology of Education, 2008). Recent works include 'Using Guiding Principles to Build Whole-of-School Physical Activity Programs for Physical Literacy' (2025) and explorations of inclusion for overweight students in physical activity settings (2021) and teachers' perspectives on inclusive climates (2019). Dr. Rukavina has presented research on childhood obesity internationally and actively engages in advancing school physical activity models.