Health, Wellness, and Exercise Science – Faculty

Jaclyn Pruitt is an Assistant Professor and Department Chair in the Health, Wellness, and Exercise Science Department at Benedictine College. She earned her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. Thereafter, she pursued Diagnostic Sonography education and worked in diverse hospitals, specializing in the emergency department and intensive care unit.

Jaclyn accepted a Program Director position at Hillyard Technical Center/Metropolitan Community College in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. There she oversaw and taught sonography while maintaining national accreditation. She accepted three grant awards from proposal writings. She earned her Graduate degree in Education and Leadership with Highest Distinction from the University of Central Missouri. Additionally, she completed post-graduate classes in Exercise Physiology from Concordia St. Paul.

An Atchison native, Jaclyn Pruitt has been a member of BC’s faculty since 2020 and Co-Chair since 2023. She enjoys bringing real life examples into lectures and her mission is to teach students to think beyond their notes by creating a foundation to apply new knowledge to situations. Aside from teaching, she enjoys documentaries, exploring new coffee shops, reading (especially WWII era), and spending time with her close circle and children.

Courtney Lewman is an Assistant Professor in the HWES and earned her bachelor’s degree from Benedictine College in 2014 in the field of Health, Wellness, and Exercise Science as well as played collegiate soccer for all four years. Lewman continued her education at Missouri Western State University earning both a Masters in Sport and Fitness Management and an Associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. This dual focus laid the foundation for a career that seamlessly blended her love for sports and healthcare.
For six years, Lewman worked at the Atchison Hospital, now known as Amberwell Atchison, in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department.
In 2022, Lewman’s passion for education returned when she joined her Alma Mater in the Health, Wellness, and Exercise Science Department as an Assistant Professor. Lewman currently teaches courses such as Structural Anatomy, First Aid and Personal Safety, Medical Terminology, Wellness for Life, and a few others.
In 2018, Lewman married a fellow Atchison native, and together, share the joy of raising two beautiful children. In her free time, Lewman also helps run a small business located out at Bellevue Country Club called The Bunker at Bellevue. She enjoys spending time with friends, and family, cheering for the Chiefs and the Jayhawks, and enjoys spending time on the course or kicking the ball around with her children. Lewman grew up in Independence, Missouri, and currently resides in Atchison, KS.

Annie Hart joined the Health, Wellness, and Exercise Science Department in July 2022. She is currently teaching Wellness for Life, Physical Fitness, Pickleball, and Foundations of Human Movement. After beginning as an adjunct professor, Hart quickly began teaching additional classes as a part time instructor in the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, Hart teaches the Health, Movement, and Physical Activity class for practicing teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in the Education Department. Hart also serves as Benedictine College’s Senior Woman Administrator for Athletics.

Hart completed her Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) at Rockhurst University in May 2022. Dr. Hart utilizes her research about motivation in Catholic schools in her work with students, athletes, and coaches, which compliments Benedictine’s mission to educate men and women in a tradition of faith and scholarship.

Before pursuing her Ed.D., Hart earned a master’s degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Athletic Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2015. Hart’s undergraduate degree is also from Rockhurst University, where she majored in Elementary Education, graduating in 2011.

Hart served as the PE Teacher and Athletic Director at St. Benedict Catholic School in Atchison from 2011-2022. Hart’s PE classes were a student favorite, and Hart was recognized for her efforts as a teacher and leader by being named Atchison VFW Post 1175 Teacher of the Year and Atchison Rotary Club Teacher of the Year in 2017. In her role as Athletic Director at St. Benedict, Hart helped St. Benedict Catholic School infuse the Catholic faith into all athletic events and earn a dozen league championships across six sports. Hart also served two terms as president of the Northeast Kansas Middle School League. While at St. Benedict, Hart coached both track and field and volleyball.

Hart grew up in Independence, Missouri and now lives in Atchison, Kansas. After moving to Atchison to begin her teaching career, Hart has made it her home, enjoying the wonderful Atchison community which is famous for its Benedictine hospitality.

Patrick Hodapp came to Benedictine as the assistant athletic trainer but quickly became the Head Athletic Trainer in 2003. Before coming to Benedictine College, he completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Kansas.  He has previously worked for the Kansas Center for Athletic Medicine and served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC) during the 2000 Champion season through 2003 season.  Patrick then made the move to Benedictine College shortly after. As the Head Athletic Trainer, Patrick is responsible for the overall well-being of the student athletes focusing on prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation of the more than 650 student athletes at Benedictine College.  Patrick also teaches four classes in the HWES department as a part time faculty. He resides in Atchison with his wife (Lindsay) and daughter (Lilly).

Jarod Crowley has served as an Athletic Trainer at Benedictine since 2004. Prior to beginning his career at BC, Jarod earned a double major in Athletic training and Physical Education at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. While a senior at Graceland, he also obtained the credential of Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

After college, Jarod interned at Neosho County Community College in Chanute.  While there, he obtained his Athletic Training Certification in the fall of 2001 and was hired on as a full time staff Athletic trainer.

In the fall of 2002, Jarod returned to Graduate School at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville Missouri where he obtained his Master’s of Education with an emphasis in Athletic Administration.

As an Athletic Trainer, Jarod’s main duties include the care, prevention, and rehabilitation of the student-athlete population here at Benedictine College.