Headline

Matthew S. Kerner, Ph.D.
An American Dream

I entered the Long Island University family more than thirty-two years ago, as a teenager beginning his college education immediately following the summer of Woodstock. I was eager to begin my college education, full of energy, brave, a little silly, and headstrong. I represented a generation that changed history. We fought to end legal segregation and the idea that women are second-class citizens. We made the environment an issue that couldn't be avoided. I am the son of an immigrant father and first generation American mother, the oldest of three children and the first to attend college. I remember my first class at Long Island University, a biology lecture class, in one of the three Brooklyn Paramount Theater screening rooms (Yesit still looked like a movie theater and still had the original theater seats!). It seemed so large and I didn't know anyone. Was I frightened! My academic experience at Long Island University was wonderful, helping me to achieve my goals and my parents to fulfil their dreams for me. I met many dedicated and caring professors on the Brooklyn Campus. In fact, a number still teach here. They include: Professors Chawla, Curley, Polisar, Stricevic, Stuart and Warmund.

Thirty-two years later, I too am a full-time professor at Long Island University. In fact, the Long Island University professor that most influenced me as a young adult, the professor who recognized my potential and was flexible and caring enough to help me grow and mature, is now my Dean - Dr. Milorad V. Stricevic, Associate Dean of the School of Health Professions.

As a Long Island University alumnus (BS, 1974; MS, 1980), and the first in my family to attend college, I can relate to most of my students. Having struggled to work part-time driving a taxi cab to help support myself and my family during my years as a student, and through my experiences with students as a New York City high school biology teacher I acquired a fair understanding of the socioeconomic and personal issues that many Long Island University students are faced with, in addition to their responsibilities to their schoolwork.

I have combined my experiences as a student, parent, and teacher to shape my roles as Assistant Professor of Sports Sciences to that of a teacher, mentor, role model, advisor, and inspirer. I have a great passion for teaching - helping young adults to learn. For some students, that entails becoming better learners. While in the classroom I sometimes find myself stepping back a bit to review foundations and learning basic skills, so that we can take a big leap forward.

In all of my courses, I try to get all of my students involved - to become part of the lesson. I make an attempt to problem-base my lessons to challenge the students to encourage the students to think, express themselves, share ideas about material covered in the lesson, and learn how to critique their peers, and to problem solve. Whether it is through the traditional classroom, developing and maintaining an interactive academic-oriented web site (Human Performance at www.HumanPerformance.Org), or creating and advising the Sport Science Club, I am always seeking innovative ways to promote learning and inquiry.

It is important to share my passion for learning with the students. As I had experienced with many of my professors while a student at Long Island University, I maintain an open door policy and entertain my student's needs and concerns. I actively solicit their participation in ongoing research projects - it is another avenue for help students to develop and strengthen technical and practical skills.

I often view my role as a Professor as akin to the teacher in the single room schoolhouse. I wear many hats working with students at varying levels in their academic careers, yet the common denominator that I share with them is my enthusiasm, passion for learning and teaching, and love for my field of study and career.

I have worked very hard to mold myself into what I view as a true academic. That is - to serve the students as an educator, dedication to Long Island University with extensive concomitant service to the student body, department, school and campus, service to my profession, and scholarship. I believe that my initial experiences as an undergraduate physical education major at Long Island University more than thirty-two years ago have helped to transform me from an energetic, brave, silly, and headstrong teenager into an energetic, brave, sometimes silly, and headstrong middle-age professor who is driven to facilitate the efforts and ambitions of today's generation of college students, to help the students of Long Island University to attain their piece of the American dream, as I did.