Rate My Professor Rodd Strobe

Rodd L. Strobel serves as Chair and Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education at Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution in College Place, Washington. He joined the faculty in 2015 as Assistant Professor of Physical Education and now leads the department, which holds a pioneering legacy in the field within the church's educational system. Strobel earned his Bachelor of Science in 1987 and Master of Education in 2007 from Walla Walla College, the former name of Walla Walla University, followed by a Master of Arts in 2018 from Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on motor learning. His progressive academic background equips him to teach and mentor students in health promotion, physical activity, skill development, and related areas essential for careers in education, coaching, and wellness.

Strobel's research interests encompass motor learning, investigating the processes by which individuals acquire, refine, and control motor skills. In recognition of his contributions, he was named a Distinguished Faculty Lecturer for the 2023-2024 academic year, presenting the lecture "The Oldest Profession in the World: What Coaching Can Teach Us About the Essence of Being Human." This thought-provoking talk, also delivered in the Department of Health and Physical Education's Colloquium & Lecture Series, draws on coaching experiences to explore fundamental insights into human performance, development, and interpersonal dynamics. Beyond teaching and scholarship, Strobel chairs the university's Ethics in Research Committee, guiding the ethical review and approval of all human subjects research. He supports student scholarship through involvement in conference presentations and professional development initiatives, such as events preparing graduates for careers in health and physical education fields.