Executive Director’s Corner
Welcome to this semester’s Morrison Bruce Center newsletter! Since our last issue, the MBC has experienced a season of meaningful growth and momentum. We developed an updated strategic plan to guide our future work, welcomed four research fellows, and collected data across five research studies that advance our mission-driven scholarship. We also mentored sixteen outstanding student staff members and seven full-time volunteers, while collaborating with undergraduate and graduate classes across CHBS to support learning, research, and community impact.
These highlights represent just a snapshot of a very full semester. I invite you to enjoy the newsletter to learn more about the programs, people, and partnerships that continue to make the Morrison Bruce Center a vibrant space for empowering women and girls.
With gratitude,
Cathy McKay, Ed.D, CAPE, Executive Director of the Morrison Bruce Center
Pictured above are Cathy McKay, Executive Director and Jill Lassiter, Associate Director
What's in this Issue?
Executive Director's Corner
Healthy Kids
EmpowHER
Gus Bus
Girls Have H.E.A.R.T.
Fitness Sampler
Marketing, Research, and Development
Research Highlights
Stay Connected
Healthy Kids, Spring 2026
Sadie Young, MBC Intern
The Morrison Bruce Center partners with JMU’s Young Children's Program to offer Healthy Kids, a weekly program designed for children 3-4 years old. This engaging program features age-appropriate, exciting educational activities centered around topics such as nutrition, strength, and motor skills. Each week the program starts with a warm-up and then moves into three different stations. Each of these stations are essential for children's development and will be used for a lifetime of health and well-being. One committee member, Evelyn Davenport, described her time with Healthy Kids and stated, “I look forward to Fridays because I love seeing the kids get excited about learning a new skill!" Together with the assistance of Graduate Assistant Emily Barner and MBC executive director Dr. McKay, the committee members collaborate to create an environment where the children can learn and thrive.
EmpowHER, Spring 2026
Hailey Waghalter, MBC Intern
EmpowHER is a weekly fitness initiative focused on building confidence, consistency, and comfort in the weight room for individuals of all ages and experience levels. The program creates a supportive and welcoming environment where participants can develop their skills while following structured, full-body workouts that gradually progress over time. Each session is led by knowledgeable and motivating staff members who prioritize proper lifting form and technique, helping participants train safely while improving strength and working toward long-term fitness goals. This semester, the program saw impressive dedication from its participants. The success of EmpowHER is reflected in 65% of returning participants who come back semester after semester, highlighting the strong sense of community, accountability, and lasting impact the program has on those involved. As stated by one of the EmpowHER ladies “This class has been so much fun for me to learn and to see the students learn. It is so fun to grow with the staff. I feel so empowered.
Gus Bus, Spring 2026
Ali Downey, MBC Intern
This spring, the Morrison Bruce Center partnered with the Gus Bus and JMU’s Applied Nutrition graduate program, along with Kinesiology and Health Sciences students, to support a community-centered Family Engagement Night for PreK-5th grade students and their families in Harrisonburg. Graduate and undergraduate students collaborated to design and lead interactive stations that blended nutrition education with joyful, family-friendly movement, emphasizing physical activity, shared learning, and accessible wellness practices. The event supported families in building healthy habits together while strengthening family-school connections through hands-on, engaging experiences. One parent who attended the Gus Bus Family Engagement Night shared with us, “I’ve come to all of the Gus Bus events, and this was by far the best of the year!” Check out this great article about our Gus Bus event.
Girls Have H.E.A.R.T, Spring 2026
Gabriella Schreiner, MBC Intern
Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. is a Morrison Bruce Center program that empowers young girls through physical activity, confidence-building, and meaningful connection. This 11-week spring program works with 4th and 5th grade girls at Waterman Elementary through non-competitive running, team-building games, and interactive wellness lessons designed to help participants grow both physically and personally. Each week centers on the 4 Cs- capable, caring, connected, and confident, through fun, movement-based activities that encourage girls to support one another, try new things, and step outside of their comfort zones in a positive and welcoming environment. Dr. Jill Lassiter shared, “Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. is a Morrison Bruce Center program designed to help young girls develop a love of being physically active and a positive self-concept while having FUN!” Through these shared experiences, Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. continues to make a positive impact by promoting healthy habits, confidence, and strong self-esteem in young girls.
Fitness Sampler, Spring 2026
Ali Downey, MBC Intern
The Fitness Sampler program partners with established social groups to explore a variety of group-based fitness experiences through a customized series of six classes. This semester we were able to provide sessions including Yoga, Pilates, High Fitness, Barre Sculpt, CrossFit, Resistance Training, and Tai Chi. Returning intern Ali Downey led the program, collaborating with the group to align programming with group goals and support the development of a long-term, sustainable fitness plan. Because social support plays a critical role in maintaining physical activity, this program leverages existing relationships to encourage consistent movement and healthy lifestyles. Participants gain exposure to new forms of exercise while building confidence and motivation to stay active together. One participant said, “The JMU Fitness Sampler was fun and inspiring. I looked forward to consistently working out with other women and challenging myself with trying another form of fitness outside of my daily fitness routine."
Marketing, Research, and Development, Spring 2026
Sadie Young, MBC Intern
The Morrison Bruce Center (MBC) remains committed to making a meaningful impact on and beyond campus through its ongoing community outreach efforts spearheaded by the Marketing, Research, and Development (MRD) committee. The committee executed our social media posts for the semester and summer, planned and organized the Gus Bus partnership, and developed tables for two tabling events. The first tabling event was at Rocktown High School at a Spring Teen Health Fair, where the MBC created opportunities to promote health, wellness, and education in accessible and engaging ways. Our focus at Rocktown was, “Stress Less, Feel Your Best”, where students who visited the table first brainstormed their stressors, then received educational tips from our staff, and finally received MBC treats and swag. Our second tabling event was on the JMU campus, where we tabled at Warner Commons. This tabling event also helped spread awareness about ways to manage stress, as final exams were approaching! Students on campus had the opportunity to learn more about the MBC while also walking away with educational information and treats. One staff member, Hailey, who volunteered at the tabling event described her experience as amazing, saying, “I loved the way students came to the table and interacted with our staff, giving us the opportunity to educate and connect.”
Research Highlights
Gabriella Schreiner, MBC Intern
The Morrison Bruce Center continues to support research that advances the health and well-being of girls and women through physical activity and student-led programming. This semester, undergraduate and graduate researchers collaborated with faculty mentors to execute a number of research proejcts. These projects reflect the Morrison Bruce Center’s commitment to combining research, education, and community engagement to strengthen programming and better understand how physical activity can positively impact the lives of girls and women. For more information about our research initiatives, visit the Morrison Bruce Center website or contact the center at morrisonbrucecenter@jmu.edu. In this newsletter, we’re highlighting two of our research projects:
Research Highlight 1: Exercise, Mood, and Social Connection Research
Alexis Downey and Marija Krnetic, under the guidance of Dr. Lassiter and Dr. Lovesky, focused on the EmpowHER program, measuring mood and energy levels before and after exercise sessions. Findings suggested that even a single 45-minute workout may positively impact participants’ mood and perceived energy. "My experience with doing research this semester with the Morrison Bruce Center allowed me to see an entire new side of exercise science and I believe I have gained many inter-professional schools along the way." — Alexis Downey
Research Highlight 2: Kinesiology Practicum and Internship Experiences Research
Megan Cropper’s research, mentored by Dr. McKay, was a pilot study that explored how practicum and internship placements shape the experiences of Kinesiology students as they transition from classroom learning into professional settings. The research focuses on understanding students lived experiences during practicum and internship opportunities, examining how hands-on placements influence career development, professional growth, and the application of academic knowledge in real-world environments. By gathering student
Stay Connected!
Stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook @morrisonbrucecenter. A big thank-you to our Spring 2026 student staff for all their hard work and their steady efforts to carry our mission forward.
From left to right:
Back row: Emily Barner, Hailey Waghalter, Gracie Peery, Evelyn Davenport, Sitara Soeb, Sadie Young, Abby Spann, and Sam Holbrook
Front row: Peyton Chambers, Emma Prachar, Ali Downey, Sarah Hussein, Taylor Coburn, Taylor Coburn, Sophia Clinton, Jenna Howorth, Sophie Stroud, Allana Leketa
Not pictured: Gabriella Schreiner
