Laurie DiRosa, Ed.D.


Title: Associate Professor, Exercise Science Program Director
Department: Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
Office: 18 Faculty Center
Phone: (610) 647-4400 Ext: 3898
Email: ldirosa@immaculata.edu
Education:
B.S., Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
Honors Research: The Resurgence of Labyrinths and Their Use as Stress Management and Spiritual Development Tools
M.S., American University, Washington, DC
Thesis: Motivational Impact of Pedometers on Self-Report of Physical Activity and Stage of Change
Ed.D., Wilmington University, Wilmington, DE
Dissertation: Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing on Overweight and Obesity: A Meta-Analysis of Relevant Research
BIOGRAPHY:
Dr. DiRosa is the Director of the Exercise Science Program and has been with Immaculata University since 2016. She has extensive experience teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, both online and in-person, in the areas of exercise science, health promotion, and research. Dr. DiRosa is actively involved in undergraduate research projects, serving as a faculty mentor. She is the Director of GetFIT@IU, a student-led fitness program that promotes active living in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this program, students train one-one with individuals in a one-hour fitness routine to include cardiovascular activity, resistance training, flexibility, and balance training. This service-learning program gives back to the community, serves as a practical learning experience for all students involved, creates inter-disciplinary connections between various departments on campus, and is the foundation of undergraduate and graduate research projects. She also leads two programs with the Special Olympics of PA – Young Athletes and Unified Sports (basketball). In these programs, students from all majors volunteer to help children ages 2-7 in functional skills using sports as the foundation, or help teach and guide players on the basketball team.
Dr. DiRosa is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and uses her training implement her health coach training program tailored specifically for health professionals such as family practice residents, medical students, undergraduate and graduate health profession students, and community laypersons in public health. In terms of University service, Dr. DiRosa is the Chair of the Freshman Year Seminar Committee, co-chair of the University Core Assessment Committee, Coordinator of the Physical Education Program, a FirstGeneration@IU faculty mentor, a member of Academic Personnel, and the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative. She is the faculty mentor of the Exercise Science Club and works with several community organizations to facilitate student experiences in the field. She has published and presented in nationally recognized organizations and has demonstrated successful stewardship of over $175,000 in grants.
Courses Taught:
- Exercise Assessment and Programming
- Exercise Science Practicum
- Exploring the Health Professions
- First Year Seminar
- Health Coaching
- Health Psychology
- Motivational Interviewing for the Nutrition Health Professional
- Research Methods I and II
Research Interests
Effectiveness of Health Coaching in Changing Health Behaviors and Related Health Outcomes
Physical, Social and Mental Health of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Selected Publications and Presentations:
DiRosa, L. (2023). Tobacco use: Trends, health consequences, cessation, and policies. In A. Snelling (2nd Ed) Introduction to Health Promotion. Jossey-Bass
Racich, C., DiRosa, L., Kuhar, R. (2022). The Effect of Supervised Exercise and Balance Training in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, American Physical Therapists Association Pennsylvania, MOVEPA Annual Conference, Pocono Manor, PA
Co-Investigator, “CogWell@IU: Facilitating Peer Led Active Listening Workshops in Increase Mental Wellness”
Co-Investigator, “Using Wearable Technology to Objectively Measure the Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions Among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)”
Principal Investigator, “Health MI Way: Peer Health/Wellness Coaching using Motivational Interviewing to Change Health Behaviors”
DiRosa, L., Colanero, D., Reitman, R., Rishell, H., & Rivas, A. (2018). GetFIT@IU: A service-learning and community outreach program servicing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) Health Conference, April 27, 2018, Philadelphia, PA
DiRosa, L., Gupta, A., Spencer, L., & Debonis, S. (2017) Effectiveness of a Clinically Oriented Motivational Interviewing Training Program in Increasing Skills and Changing Perceptions among Family Practice Residents. Osteopathic Family Physician, 9(3):10-17