The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM ), a global leader in personal trainer certification and sports performance training, and its higher education partner, California University of Pennsylvania (CalU), today announced Jessica Bashioum and Nicole Cahen as the Spring 2010 Pursuit of Excellence in Health and Fitness Award recipients.

Bashioum and Cahen will be rewarded for their accomplishments and dedication within the fitness industry by receiving full-tuition, valued at more than $15,000 each, towards a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at CalU. During the 2010-2011 academic year, each will choose a specialization in one of the school’s four, internet-based tracks: Fitness and Wellness; Sports Performance
Enhancement and Injury Prevention; Rehabilitation Science or Sports Psychology.
“Both of these dynamic women have very different career aspirations, but have shown dedication to the industry and to helping others live better lives,” said Dr. Micheal Clark, NASM Chief Executive Officer. “With the education received from CalU they will gain an in-depth knowledge of exercise science and health promotion, and be better equipped to take their current health and fitness training programs to the next level.”

Bashioum, an alumnus of both Nyack College and California University of Pennsylvania, currently works as the Director of a women’s fitness and wellness program in Aqaba, Jordan. The education she has received thus far in her career has been instrumental in allowing her to support this underserved population both physically and emotionally. Bahioum hopes her continuing education with CalU will better equip her to train

Arab women interested in the fitness field, and allow her to have a greater impact on health education policies being written at a national level.

Cahen graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and now works as a middle school Health and Physical Education teacher. In addition to coaching track and cross country, Cahen shares her love of physical fitness with others in the community as a yoga and Pilate’s instructor and volunteer running coach. The education she receives from CalU will help shape her future programs and touch the lives of countless youth and adults in the area.
“Bashioum & Cahen are both extremely qualified health and fitness professionals and we are pleased to have such motivated individuals continue the program’s tradition” said Dr. Barry McGlumphy, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor for Exercise Science and Health

Promotion at California University of Pennsylvania. “With our convenient online graduate degree both recipients, no matter where they are in the world, will be able to complete their selected educational tracks while continuing to work and balance their personal lives.”

The bi-annual Pursuit of Excellence in Health and Fitness Award program was developed as part of a collaborative effort between NASM and CalU to support fitness and health professionals embodying the determination and ideals to become industry leaders. The University’s web-based undergraduate and graduate health and fitness degrees, all powered by NASM’s industry-leading, evidence-based fitness programs and research, provide busy professionals with a variety of convenient methods to advance their career in several specialized areas.
Applicants interested in applying for the Summer 2010 Pursuit of Excellence Awards can visit www.nasm.org in March for more details.

California University of Pennsylvania (CalU), a comprehensive regional institution of higher education and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a diverse caring and scholarly learning community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional studies that is devoted to building character and careers, broadly defined. Founded in 1852, and now in its second 150 years of service, the University is committed above all to academic excellence and intellectual rigor in the context of personal and institutional integrity, civility and responsibility. For more information visit www.calu.edu.

Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has been a global leader in providing evidence-based certifications and advanced credentials to health and fitness professionals. In addition to its NCCA-accredited fitness Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification, NASM offers a progressive career track with access to Advanced Specializations, Continuing Education courses, and accredited Bachelor and Master Degree programs. The NASM educational continuum is designed to help today’s health and fitness professional enhance their career while empowering their clients to live healthier lives. To learn more, visit www.nasm.org or call 800.460.6276.