Kim Smith and Brent Dragoo to Join Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Faculty
Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of two new faculty members in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. On August 1, 2023, Kimberly M. Smith, EdD, will join the faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor for Health Science Studies and Brent Dragoo, PhD, will join the faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor for Medical Sciences.
Dr. Kim Smith is a longtime member of the Baylor Family. She has served the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation as Internship Manager since 2014, working with undergraduate and graduate students pursuing practical and clinical internships, in addition to serving as an Adjunct Faculty member for multiple courses in the Department. Smith is also a graduate of Baylor’s Health Science Studies program, having earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 2003. Since then, Smith has completed a Master’s in Educational Administration from Lamar University and an EdD in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. A published textbook author and member of the publications and media committee for the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, Smith's research and writing interests include pre-health student satisfaction and the impact of study abroad experiences on pre-health student success. In her spare time, Smith enjoys water skiing, traveling with her family, and cheering on China Spring High School football and her two-time state champion defensive coordinator husband.
“Baylor’s Health Science Studies program is an innovative program for students wishing to pursue a professional career in healthcare. I am thankful to be part of a team that purposefully presents the large gamut of healthcare career options available to pre-health students, as well as a multitude of volunteer opportunities in and around the Waco community,” Smith said. “I am excited to teach the unique and specialized courses of the program, and I also look forward to expanding our global footprint by offering a new study abroad opportunity.”
Dr. Brent Dragoo is also a familiar face in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, having served as an Adjunct Faculty member for several core courses since 2021. Dragoo earned his PhD in Sports Biomechanics from Texas Woman’s University, Master of Education in Exercise Physiology from Auburn University, and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Corporate Wellness from Texas Tech University. Prior to teaching at Baylor, he served on the faculty for Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, teaching, among other subjects, physics, biology, chemistry, and coordinating the Solar Car Team. He also brings to his new position a diverse array of industry experience, particularly in areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation. When he’s not teaching, Dragoo enjoys hiking, exercising, and working on his project truck 1995 F250. His wife, Sheri, is also a member of the Baylor Family, serving as Chair for the Department of Human Sciences and Design.
“I am very excited to be able to continue my time here at Baylor,” Dragoo said. “Since coming two and a half years ago, I am fully convinced that Baylor students are the finest students I have ever had the privilege of working with. I am very much looking forward to working with a new program and being a part of making it develop and grow.”
“We are very excited to welcome Kim and Brent to our faculty,” said W. Dale Connally, PhD, Chair of the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. “Kim is a graduate of our Health Sciences Studies program and has provided excellent field experiences for current HHPR students as Internship Manager. We look forward to the influence she will have on students given her unique background and experiences. Brent has been working with our kinesiology programs for the last couple of years and has proven his love for teaching and for building relationships with students. These traits are exactly what we need to strengthen our newly launched graduate program in Medical Science."