Health and Phys. Ed. Faculty and Student Publish on Service-Learning Partnership

Faculty and a graduate student from Monmouth University's Department of Health and Physical Education have published new research in Applied Sciences (Sept. 2025), examining the impact of the school-university service-learning program All Stars Moving Together (ASMT) on increasing physical activity and motivation among children.

The ASMT initiative is an eight-week program that pairs Monmouth undergraduates from the experiential education course PE-350 School-Based Physical Activity with elementary school children to promote physical activity. Results showed that children who participated in ASMT increased their daily step counts and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, while also reporting greater enjoyment and motivation for being active.

"This project demonstrates how the school-university service-learning models can provide reciprocal benefits to both undergraduate students and the broader community," said Tamara Rial Faigenbaum, Ph.D., lead author and specialist professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education.

Staci Drewson, Ph.D., ASMT program director and chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education, added, "Not only do children increase physical activity levels and motivation towards physical activity, but our students develop hands-on teaching and leadership skills that will serve them in their future careers."

ASMT was supported by a Monmouth University Diversity and Innovation Grant awarded in 2023, which was recently renewed for 2025 to allow the continuation and expansion of the initiative. The grant reflects Monmouth's commitment to community-engaged scholarship and health equity.

The publication also highlights the contributions of Robert Milano, a graduate student in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, who served as a graduate research assistant and co-author on the study. Milano helped coordinate the ASMT program and collect data, providing critical support for the project's success.

Associate Professor Andi Hope, Ed.D., commented, "The findings underscore how programs like ASMT can play a vital role in fostering healthier lifestyles and addressing disparities in youth access to physical activity, while simultaneously enriching Monmouth students' academic experiences."

The article, "Moving Motivation: A Mixed-Methods Study of Service Learning to Promote Physical Activity in Under-Resourced Youth," is available in the Applied Sciences online journal.

Photos of the All Stars Moving Together program in action