Thomas West, PhD, ATC

Tom West, PhD, ATC has been working at PennWest as a Professor since 2004. Dr. West has served in a number of roles during his time at CalU/PennWest. In the past he has served as the director of the Graduate Athletic Training Education Program and chairperson of the Department of Health Science. His teaching has included courses in the Graduate Athletic Training Program, the Exercise Science and Health Promotion graduate program and undergraduate courses primarily in the areas of Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology and Exercise Science. He also teaches in the Doctoral Program, specifically in the area of instructional technology. He enjoys teaching online and in the traditional classroom.

Dr. West received his BS in Athletic Training/Health Education and PhD in Kinesiology from The Pennsylvania State University. He earned a MS in Athletic Training/Physical Education from West Virginia University. Prior to coming to California University he held the position of Associate Professor at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where he served as the director of the Athletic Training Education Program and worked as an assistant athletic trainer. Dr. West has also held clinical athletic training and teaching positions at the Pennsylvania State University and George Washington University. He has experience working as an athletic trainer with collegiate soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, women’s volleyball, and softball. He has worked with athletes as they complete in NCAA championship tournaments, international tournaments, and the World Cup of Soccer.

Dr. West has stayed active professionally in several ways. He is Past-President of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society. During his time as President, the Society worked with legislators to introduce licensure legislation for Athletic Trainers, with a successful outcome. He served as a site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. He presented at numerous conferences including the International Olympic Committee World Congress in Athens, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Convention, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Meeting and NATA District meetings, among others. Dr. West has received a Service Award from the NATA and has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletic Training Hall of Fame.

Dr. West is married to Ellen West, an athletic trainer and fellow faculty member at PennWest. They have two boys, Tucker and Sam and a daughter, Grace. He believes that all three are pretty awesome. In addition to hanging with the kids, he enjoys traveling, cooking, bread baking, and golf.

Education