Angila D Berni

Angila D. Berni is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She brings a diverse background that blends higher education, professional fitness training, and military service. Prior to joining UNCW, Berni served as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Coast Guard, where she developed expertise in leadership and discipline, and later founded ATP Fitness, a Wilmington-based training studio that specialized in individualized exercise, sports conditioning, and orthopedic rehabilitation.

At UNCW, Berni teaches across the Exercise Science curriculum, including Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Introduction to Exercise Science, and Suspension Training Systems, as well as coordinating study abroad courses. She emphasizes applied learning strategies that connect classroom knowledge with hands-on practice and encourages students to engage in professional and research opportunities.

Her research focuses on exercise interventions for military and veteran populations, strength training across the lifespan, and adaptive fitness practices. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications in Military Medicine, The Sport Journal, and the International Journal of Sport & Exercise Medicine. Dedicated to student success, she frequently mentors undergraduates through directed studies, independent research projects, and honors theses.

Berni also contributes to the university and the community through her service. She is an active member of the Faculty Development and Healthy Workplace Committee and serves on the board of Access of Wilmington, a nonprofit dedicated to adaptive sports and recreation. She continues to lead workshops and wellness programs for the UNCW campus and the wider Wilmington community.

Education

M.S. in Kinesiology (Sports Conditioning and Orthopedic Rehabilitation), A.T. Still University

MBA, University of Mount Olive

B.S. in Exercise Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Professional Service

Committee Member, Faculty Development and Healthy Workplace Committee, University of North Carolina Wilmington (August 2024 – Present)

Board Member, Access of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC (August 2024 – Present)

Community Engagement

Community Workout, The Office of Military Affairs, UNCW – (2023- 2025)

Workshop, iHeal – (2023-2025)

Junior Seahawk Academy, UNCW – Participant engagement and support (2024-2025)

Seahawk Saturday, UNCW – Campus and community outreach (2025)

Student Recreation Center Workshops, UNCW – Multiple fitness and wellness sessions (2024-2025)