Dr. Maureen Edwards
Office: 240-567-7590, Room PE 230
Dr. Edwards holds a doctorate in health education from the University of Maryland at College Park. Her areas of specialization are stress management and gerontology. She is also certified as a Master Health Education Specialist (MCHES). In addition, she has received advanced training by the Critical Incident Stress Foundation as a post-traumatic stress debriefer and has been trained by the American Cancer Society to conduct smoking cessation workshops. Currently, Dr. Edwards serves as the coordinator of the Health Education program and serves as advisor to the Aging Studies Letter of Recognition and the Public Sciences program at the Universities of Shady Grove.
Professor Lila Fleming
Office: 240-567-7986, Room PE 229
Professor Lila C. Fleming is a global health epidemiologist and certified health education specialist currently working on her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy at George Mason University. Mrs. Fleming has an A.A. in health education from Montgomery College, a B.S. in Health Studies – International Health from Georgetown University, an M.S. in Health Science – International Health and a graduate certificate in Epidemiology from George Mason University. Her current research and professional interests include bullying in middle-school students in low- and middle-income countries, access to healthcare issues, adolescent health, risky health behaviors, mental health, and nutrition. Professor Fleming has eight years of experience as a health educator focusing in the area of tobacco education and cessation, and has worked and interned in a variety of public health and community health settings including Nueva Vida, Inc, Pan-American Health Organization (Regional office for the World Health Organization), Inter-American Development Bank, Navajo Area Indian Health Service, and the Center for Multicultural
Professor Dianne Hagan
Office: 240-567-7584, Room PE 228
Professor Hagan is a PhD candidate at Walden University, specializing in Community Health. She received an M.S. in Human Performance from Frostburg University specializing in exercise interventions for chronic disease and a BSW from Hood College. Ms. Hagan previously taught at the college level at Shepherd University and Frostburg State University and Lord Fairfax Community College. She worked for 15 years in a hospital setting, as a Health Educator and Exercise Physiologist. Her work includes exercise prescription and patient education for cardiac, pulmonary, and cancer patients, as well as corporate, community and employee wellness programming and community advocacy in a mixture of settings. She provides community and clinical education related to correlations between lifestyle behavior, stress and disease. Ms. Hagan is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), has experience in fitness center and spa management, is a certified yoga teacher, a Reiki Master and a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor through AFAA. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Hagan instructed health, wellness, stress management and physical education courses at Lord Fairfax Community College and worked for Winchester Medical Center in the cancer support center. Her research interests include mindfulness as a means to improve college student stress, scholastic success, group-cohesion and health behavior.
Professor Christine Harrison
Office: 240-567-7579, Room PE 225
Professor Chris Harrison received her BS in Physical Education with a minor in Health from East Stroudsburg State College and a MS in Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Training from the University of Arizona. She is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Specialist and an ACSM Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist. She holds certifications in CPR, First Aid and AED and was a certified Athletic Trainer for 25 years. Professor Harrison has varied experience in the Health and Physical Education profession. She has taught Health and Physical Education classes at the college level and elementary school level. She has worked as an Athletic Trainer in the college and clinical setting providing injury and rehabilitation care, and was a fitness instructor for both college and community based wellness programs. She currently teaches Health, Exercise Science, and Fitness classes for the College.
Dr. Susan Milstein
Office: 240-567-7578, Room PE 232
Dr. Susan Milstein earned her BS in Health Education from SUNY Cortland in 1995. She earned an MA in Health Education From the University of Maryland, College Park in 1999. She earned a PhD in Human Sexuality Education from Widener University in 2006. Dr. Milstein became a full time faculty member at Montgomery College in 2000. She currently teaches Health issues in Human Sexuality, Personal and Community Health, both in the traditional classroom and on-line, and Drugs and Lifestyle Wellness on-line. She is an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, as well as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist. In 2007 she was named as an “Emerging Professional" in the field of sexology by the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. Her areas of interest are human sexuality and men’s health.
Professor LaKisha Nickens-Gaither
Office: 240-567-7980, Room PE 226
Professor LaKisha Nickens-Gaither received her B.S. from Howard University in Physical Education with a concentration in Athletic Training. She also holds an M.S. in Exercise Science and Health Promotions with a concentration in Fitness and Wellness and an M.S. in Sports Management with a concentration in Intercollegiate Athletics from California University of Pennsylvania. Professor Nickens-Gaither has over 10 years of diverse experience that includes teaching at the middle school and college level, managing fitness programs, coaching women’s basketball, and developing strength and conditioning programs. She holds certifications by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a Personal Trainer, Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist. She loves traveling and spending time with her family.
Professor Elizabeth Ridings
Office: 240-567-7576, Room PE 236 A
Professor Ridings is the College-wide Department Chair for Health and PE. She has a M.A. in Exercise Science and Fitness Management from the University of Connecticut. Professor Ridings worked in the Health and Fitness Industry for ten years prior to becoming a full-time faculty member at Montgomery College. She has experience managing fitness and wellness programs in collegiate, commercial and corporate settings. Professor Ridings is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Health and Fitness Instructor and as a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist.
Professor Karen Thomas
Office: 240-567-7582, Room PE 228
Professor Thomas received her Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics from Texas Women’s University. Her professional certifications include: ACSM Fitness Specialist, Exercise is Medicine, and Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, as well as Wellness Coach Certification. She has experience in a variety of areas within the profession including teaching and coaching at the high school and college level; cardiac testing at a large heart hospital; exercise, pulmonary and metabolic testing; exercise program development for patients with cardiac, respiratory and chronic pain; teaching stress management and disease management skills for a variety of chronic diseases. Professor Thomas, a former department chair, teaches Fitness, Health and Exercise Science major courses, and is the coordinator for Health Fitness A.A. transfer programs and Personal Trainer Certification.
Professor Margaret Turnbow
Office: 240-567-7583, Room PE 227
Professor Margaret Turnbow (Marge) was a Montgomery College student who, after receiving two AA degrees, continued on the receive a Bachelor of Science degree from West Chester University in 1986. Following graduation, Marge returned to Montgomery College, Rockville Campus as the Swimming Pool Manager. While in that position, she taught as an adjunct faculty member and attended graduate school at American University. In 1991, she completed her Master’s of Science degree in Health Fitness Management. Marge was hired as a full-time professor for the department in August of 2007. She currently teaches all levels of swimming, a variety of health classes, as well as fitness and strength training courses. Marge is an EMT-B and volunteers at Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department. In August 2011, Marge completed 25 years of service at Montgomery College. Marge loves to travel especially to places with a warm climate where she can spend time scuba diving, swimming, reading, and exploring.
Professor Lesley Wasilko
Office: 240-567-7585, Room PE 233
Professor Lesley Wasilko received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from the Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland. She has taught a variety of fitness and activity courses, as well as professional preparation courses for physical education majors since her hire in 1994. She was the women’s basketball coach for six seasons and the women’s volleyball coach for seven seasons. She enjoys spending time with her family, as well as a variety of outdoor activities and reading.
240-567-7575 (main office)
Ms. Collette Brown has worked in higher education in the administrative support field for nearly 20 years. She received an A.A.S. degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, MI. Ms. Brown is a health and fitness enthusiast and enjoys exercising as her hobby.
Instructional Lab Coordinator
Ms. Margaret Ebner is a graduate of the University of Maryland where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, and completed her thesis on the Cardiovascular Effects of Circuit Weight Training. While at the University of Maryland, she also interned as a strength coach for the football team. Ms. Ebner earned her Master’s degree in Human Sciences/Gerontology from Hood College, concentrating on the physiological and psychological health of Aging. Ms. Ebner began her career in the corporate sector, managing new Corporate Fitness centers, namely, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ms. Miriam Snyder
Physical Education Aide
PE building, room 224
Ms. Miriam Snyder received her AA in Exercise Science and Health Fitness at Montgomery College. Miriam is a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and has extensive experience with various ability levels and age ranges of rehabilitative health care. In addition to her position as the department’s Physical Education Aide, Ms. Snyder is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and enjoys working with clientele to help promote healthy lifestyle and exercise habits. In her spare time Miriam enjoys riding and racing motocross, and beekeeping.