UIW Kinesiology Alumnus Selected as Career Panel Speaker at Texas ACSM Conference

Justin De Los Santos, BS, '25 University of the Incarnate Word's (UIW) graduate from the Kinesiology - Exercise Science program, was recently invited to serve as a panelist at the Texas American College of Sports Medicine (TACSM) annual conference. The panel, titled Student Professional Development Forum: Career Panel Discussion, was hosted for the first time this year and featured professionals representing three degree pathways - BS, MS and PhD - to highlight diverse career trajectories within the field.

De Los Santos was selected to represent the bachelor's degree pathway after being nominated by UIW faculty due to his unique and impactful career position. As an Exercise Physiologist with On Duty Health, he travels across the country working directly within fire stations to support the health and readiness of first responders. In this role, he applies a variety of fitness assessment techniques, individualized exercise programming strategies and motivational coaching skills - competencies developed during his time in the UIW Kinesiology program. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, he helps promote injury prevention, performance optimization and long-term health through evidence-based practice.

De Los Santos first attended the TACSM conference in Spring 2025 as an undergraduate student. Shortly after, he completed a summer internship with On Duty Health - an opportunity he secured through professional networking - and was subsequently hired full-time following graduation in August 2025.

Reflecting on the experience, Justin shared:

"Being invited to speak on a career panel at the Texas ACSM conference was a full-circle moment for me. As an undergraduate at UIW, I attended conferences hoping to learn from professionals in the field, and now I had the opportunity to share my own journey. The mentorship and hands-on experiences I received at UIW gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities like this, and it was truly an honor to represent the program and hopefully encourage students who are now sitting where I once was."

Brittanie Lockard, PhD, associate professor and Kinesiology program director, expressed pride in Justin's professional growth and representation of the program:

"Justin's invitation to serve on the inaugural career panel at TACSM is a testament to his initiative, professionalism and commitment to serving others. What makes his story especially meaningful is seeing him apply the very skills he developed in our program - assessment, program design and coaching - in a high-impact setting that supports first responders nationwide. Watching him return to the conference not just as an attendee, but as a speaker and mentor to current students, is incredibly rewarding."

Justin's participation in the panel allowed him to share insights on career exploration, networking and transitioning from an undergraduate student to a working professional. His journey reflects the strength of UIW's Kinesiology program and its commitment to preparing graduates who are confident, mission-driven and ready to contribute meaningfully to the field of exercise science.