Offering her more than 20 years of experience and insight on the equine community, Debra Powell, Ph.D., PAS, has been elected onto the board of directors for the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA).
Powell, associate professor of equine studies at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), will serve a minimum three-year term on the board. She will also serve as the co-chair of the diversity, equity and inclusion subcommittee for the organization. In this capacity, she will assist in the understanding and implementation of various platforms addressing issues as they pertain to equine academic programs and the industry.
“Being a board member will provide a strong avenue for implementing shared ideas from other institutions that have equine disciplines thus will serve to enhance and improve curricular offerings and program standards at SMWC,” Powell said.
The association holds annual conferences where member institutions can gather to network and share information. Although the conference was cancelled this year due to COVID-19, NAEAA has established a resource site for equine faculty. The site provides immediate resources such as general teaching ideas, virtual course ideas, webinars, videos and more for free.
“Currently, this resource is free to anyone, regardless of membership” to help institutions as they navigate the difficult times, Powell said.
Powell obtained her doctorate from the University of Kentucky with focuses in equine exercise physiology and nutrition. She owns and operates Powell’s Equine and Canine Therapeutic Services. She is veterinary certified in areas of acupuncture and chiropractic and is nationally certified in equine and canine massage. Powell is also published in her field in scientific journals, as well as writing her own textbook, which she uses at SMWC.
She has also helped others become nationally certified by creating a nine-week equine massage therapy certification course for The Woods.
SMWC is the only equine program in Indiana to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies, and one of approximately 20 equestrian colleges in the U.S. to offer a bachelor’s degree in equine studies.
NAEAA, founded in 2007, represents members of public and private institutions and the equine industry. The association strives to educate and strengthen undergraduates in equine programs.