A globally recognized scholar and leader, Dr. Goodway currently serves as Professor and Associate Chair of Kinesiology at Michigan State University, where she also holds the title of Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. Prior to joining MSU, she spent the majority of her distinguished career at The Ohio State University.

 

Dr. Goodway’s career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to addressing health disparities in vulnerable and minoritized communities through physical literacy. Her translational research has three synergistic foci: identifying developmental delays in motor competence, evaluating the role of motor skill proficiency in physical activity behaviors, and implementing SKIP (Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers), an evidence-based early childhood program that promotes motor skill development and physical activity across schools and families. SKIP has been adopted in more than 10 countries and is widely viewed as a leading model for early years physical literacy.

 

Dr. Goodway is also internationally respected for her co-authorship of one of the most cited conceptual models in motor development, highlighting the dynamic relationship between motor competence and lifelong physical activity. Her impact spans over 17,000 academic citations, and she is the author or co-author of dozens of highly influential publications, including Understanding Motor Development, a foundational textbook in the field.

 

Her scholarly excellence and service have earned her election as a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals, and the I-MDRC, where she currently serves as President-Elect.

 

At the core of Dr. Goodway’s work is a desire to create sustainable, community-based solutions that positively transform the lives of children and families around the world. en and families around the world.

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Learn more about her career in her CV (2024). ​

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