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SUZANNE DROLESKEY
Visiting Lecturer
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Droleskey is one of the creators of KINE 282, Culture of Wellness. She teaches this and Taiji Quan for the Department of Kinesiology and also teaches Taiji Quan to local community groups. Prior to working at Texas A&M, she taught English, Public Speaking and Theatre Arts in the US, Venezuela, and Thailand to internationally diverse students from approximately 60 countries. Through this teaching, she gained intercultural skills and travelled abroad extensively.

She has been studying Tai Chi since 2003, and began teaching it in 2010. She has studied Yang, Chen, and Sun styles, both the hand forms and sword and fan forms. Her certifications include Instructor Level II from the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association, a short course diploma from Beijing Sport University in Tai Chi, and a certificate in Anatomy in Three Dimensions from Balanced Body.

Dr. Droleskey has published several articles related to teaching tai chi to visually impaired students as well as those with Parkinson's Disease. In addition, she also published a best practices article about teaching Tai Chi online.

Joining Texas A&M University in 1989, Dr. Droleskey’s responsibilities have included leadership of the university’s Education Abroad Programs, International Student Services and Sponsored Student Programs offices, and in this role she helped to establish numerous student scholarships. She has also overseen staff located at the Santa Chiara Study Center in Italy, the Mexico City Center, and the Soltis Center for Research and Education in Costa Rica. She also had oversight of international agreement processing for the University. After retiring from her full time position in the Department of Global Engagement, she continued to teach part time for the Physical Education Activity Program, which she had been doing since 2015.

Dr. Droleskey served as the principle investigator on the nationally recognized intercultural communications training program "The Community of Respect" developed in conjunction with community partners and continues to provide this training on and off campus. She partners with the Center for Teaching Excellence to provide English Language Placement Exam preparation training for international students.

Dr. Droleskey earned a BS in English, Public Speaking, and Theatre Arts from Murray State University in Kentucky, a master’s degree in English Processes, with an emphasis in teaching English as a second language, from Maryville College in St. Louis, and her PhD in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University. She has also lived and taught abroad in Venezuela and Thailand.

Dr. Droleskey has served on a variety of Texas A&M committees including the Academic Operations Committee, the Graduate Operations Committee, the Scholarship Committee, and the Academic Affairs Climate and Diversity Committee, among others. She is the recipient of several professional honors including an Administrative Fulbright, the Texas A&M University Association of Former Students Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Student Relations, the John J. Koldus Distinguished Achievement Award, the Ed Guthrie Award for Service to Graduate Students, the ACE Staff Award for Diversity, a Tradition of Excellence award in Advancing Diversity and Inclusion, and is the namesake for a Texas A&M Fish Camp.

In addition, she has written articles and served as an invited speaker about international education, tai chi, and diversity issues at state, national and international conferences.

Education
B.S., English, Speech, and Theatre Arts, Murray State University (1980)
M.A., Educational Processes with ESL/English emphasis, Maryville College (1985)
Ph.D., Educational Administration (higher education), Texas A&M University (2000)
COURSES TAUGHT
KINE199. Tai Chi for Stress Relief
Tai Chi, an ancient internal martial art originating in China, was designed by martial artists who wanted to remain healthy and balanced both mentally and physically. Tai Chi movements are offensive and defensive martial arts moves slowed down and connected by transitions to create a series of flowing, almost dance-like, movements that utilize 97% of the body's full range of motion. Serious martial artists learn Tai Chi to improve their external martial arts practices, but most people learn it because they want to reduce stress and maintain physical health.

It is expected that everyone will be a beginner, so all instruction will be geared this way. If students are more proficient, the instructor can provide more tailored instruction that will enhance existing skills.
Fall and Spring
KINE 282. Culture of Wellness
In this class, students will explore various dimensions of wellness across worldwide cultures. Throughout the semester, we will analyze, compare, and contrast wellness choices and their impact on individuals and societies not only here in the United States but around the globe. As part of this process, students will be placed in groups and each group will investigate a country and its wellness practices, presenting the findings through various assignments. In addition, each Friday, we will integrate and participate in a physical activity that originated outside the United States and is used as an wellness practice around the world: Tai Chi, a Chinese internal martial art.
Fall and Spring
OTHER NOTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Tradition of Excellence Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion, 2020
Advisor of the Year – named outstanding club advisor of 2011 and 2015
International Student Association’s Outstanding Service to International Students Award, February 2006
Fulbright International Educational Administrators Grant to Korea, 2004
Texas A&M University Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Student Relations, from the Association of Former Students, 1996
George W. Kunze Award recipient, 1991-92, for “meritorious service to graduate students” from the Graduate Student Council, Texas A&M University
John J. Koldus Faculty/Staff Achievement Award, 1990, for “outstanding contribution to the welfare and well-being of the students of Texas A&M University”