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ESG 50 Anniversary Fellow Profile
ELISA BETH MCNEILL

Elisa Beth McNeill, PhD, CHES
Clinical Associate Professor
Coordinator of Health and Physical Education Teacher
Certification
Department of Health & Kinesiology
Texas A&M University

Dr. McNeill is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Please describe your most meaningful contribution –
Pedagogy in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at your legacy so to speak - to ESG.
Texas A&M University. Serving as the coordinator of the
Health Education Teacher Certification Program, Dr. I had the honor of being selected as "Advisor of the Year"
McNeill is a 30-year teaching veteran having experience in 2014. I was humbled by the award because I believe the
with middle school, high school and with emphasis on accomplishments of my chapter were a greater reflection
pregnant and parenting adolescents. She earned her of my students than myself. It is easy to do good things
masters' degree and Principals Certificate in Educational when you work with great people. Currently I have the
Administration and her PhD in Health Education from pleasure of helping install new chapters into the ESG
TAMU. Beth is known for her innovative instruction, she family. It is an honor to observe, first-hand, the many
teaches courses in human sexuality, elementary and chapters ESG has around the country and the creative
secondary school health pedagogy, technology for efforts they use to promote health.
teachers, and community & school health methodology.
Service learning is incorporated in of most of the courses Which one thing do you wish you had done differently?
she teaches. Dr. McNeill has co-authored a textbook on I wish I had been a member of ESG as an undergraduate. I
health methodologies, Health Education: Creating missed opportunities develop myself professionally and to
Strategies for School and Community Health. She has also truly grasp the important role a health educator can have on
presented at state, regional, national, and international a school and community.
conferences with multiple publications.
Whom were you most influenced by professionally?
How did your involvement with your local Eta Sigma How/Why?
Gamma begin?
There are really too many to name. Kelly Wilson has been
I became a member of ESG after becoming a faculty a powerful influence on my professional career. I have
member at Texas A&M University. ESG was not available watched her model professional leadership from a variety
at my campus when I was an undergraduate student.
of platforms in our profession and have learned every step
of the way. I also have enjoyed getting to work with Denise
What led to your becoming involved in national-level
leadership of ESG? Seabert and Jodie-Brookins Fisher. I am impressed by
their commitment to ESG and promoting teaching,
As a faculty member, I was impressed with the dedication research and service.
to promoting health exhibited by the members of
ESG. Their energy and passion for helping others What challenges do you think ESG as an organization
motivated me to be a part of a group driven to promote will face in the next decade?
health through teaching, research and service. I believe it is critical for ESG to remain committed to its

THE HEALTH EDUCATION MONOGRAPH SERIES, Volume 34, Number 1, 2017 23