Jack C Watson

Dr. Jack Watson has served in the role of Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington since 2023. Previously he served as Dean of the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University. Dr. Watson also served as an Associate Dean and Department Chair at West Virginia University, as a professor of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. He is a past recipient of the West Virginia University Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching. Dr. Watson received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia, where he was also a member of the university golf team. He received his master’s degree in sport behavior from West Virginia University, and his Ph.D. in educational psychology with an emphasis in sport psychology and his post-doctoral respecialization in counseling and school psychology from Florida State University. Dr. Watson served as President of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and led the process of restructuring the organization’s certification program. His research revolves around the topic of professional issues in sport, exercise, and performance psychology, including ethics, supervision, and mentoring. He has co-edited a book focused on ethical issues in applied sport, exercise, and performance psychology, published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and 40 book chapters, and has given more than 150 presentations and keynote addresses. Dr. Watson has been married for more than 30 years and is the father of three children.

Education

Post-Doctoral Respecialization in Counseling and School Psychology, Florida State University
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology; Concentration in Sport Psychology, Florida State University
M.S. in Sport Behavior, West Virginia University
B.A. in Psychology, University of Virginia
A.S. in Engineering, Rockland Community College

Research:
My research primarily focuses on professional issues within the practice of sport, exercise and performance psychology. Within this area, my primary line of research focuses on ethical issues impacting the practice of applied sport, exercise and performance psychology practitioners. Other areas of research in this realm include the topics of mentoring and supervision of students and new practitioners in sport, exercise and performance psychology. Other secondary lines of research include anger management and aggression in sport, youth sport, and motivation in sport.

Specialization in Teaching:
My primary areas of specialization in teaching have focused on social psychology of sport, sociology of sport, performance enhancement in sport, supervision, and teaching effectiveness. I have a great deal of experience with both in-person and online instruction, I strive to establish environments that allow for team-based learning and competency-based education with the goal of providing students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and real-world experiences necessary to be successful and lead lives of meaning and purpose upon graduation.

Professional Service

Service continues to play an important role in my professional career. I have initiated and accepted many service responsibilities within my academic unit, university, professional organizations, and community. Service, civic engagement, and the development of community partnerships directed at helping others have always been of importance to me. Involvement in these activities is always undertaken with the goal of making a difference. My university service has been broad and varied to enhance program, department, college, and university initiatives across a variety of topics. My professional service has been focused on positions that help me lead, support, and enhance the discipline of sport, exercise and performance psychology through committee membership and central leadership positions.

Community Engagement

• Member, Health Care Heroes of Wilmington, Selection Committee
• Member, SEAHEC Regional Collaborative Core Team
• Member, Health Professions Workforce Development subcommittee of the Novant UNC Health, UNC School of Medicine Collaborative
• Volunteer Assistant Coach for middle school basketball and softball
• Volunteer Coach for high school Softball
• Member, LSIC Committee for middle school
• Provided coach training seminars for youth baseball and softball
• Provided anger management and violence prevention programming for at-risk children
• Meal server at Family House and Ronald McDonald House
• Volunteer Elementary School Tutor and Counselor
• Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteer, Special Olympics Coach

Honors & Awards

• University of North Carolina Wilmington, James F. Merrit Million Dollar Club
• Wilmington Business Journal top 100 Power Players, Influencers, Innovators, Connectors and Rising Stars impacting Southeastern North Carolina
• Fellow – American Council on Education
• West Virginia University Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching
• Teacher of the Year Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (2 times)
• Researcher of the year Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
• Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 47
• Fellow, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• Outstanding Research Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (18 times)
• Outstanding Teaching Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (10 times)
• Outstanding Service Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (16 times)
• Outstanding Servant of the Year, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (2 times)
• West Virginia University, Faculty Service Grant
• Associate Member, Mountain Honorary (West Virginia University)
• Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Outstanding Paper Award