All of our program coordinators and instructors hold either a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition or an exercise science-related degree. They all strive to support their students and become valuable resources and mentors well after they graduate.  See below for the program coordinator bio's.

Ken Baldwin, M.ED., is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for the Professional Certificates in Fitness Business Management and Personal Fitness Training. He is the former Chair of IDEA’s National Personal Trainer Committee and Chair of the Senior Fitness Subcommittee for the Massachusetts’s Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports. Ken is the Senior Editor and lead author for the American College of Sports Medicine - ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer Manual (2nd Ed.) and textbook. He continues to serve on national committees for ACSM, AAHPERD (AAPAR), and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA). He has been honored with numerous awards including IDEA’s Personal Trainer of the Year Award, presented at the IDEA International Personal Training Summit. If you have questions about the certificates in Fitness Business Management and/or Personal Fitness Training, you may contact the Ken at kbpft@yahoo.com.

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA, RD, CNSD, CDE

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA, RD, CNSD, CDE is the Program Coordinator and an Instructor for the Professional Certificate in Nutrition for Optimal Health, Wellness, and Sports, and an instructor for the Professional Certificate in Advanced Personal Fitness Training.  She is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian and holds a Masters degree in Nutrition Education. Melissa has the Certificate of training for Childhood and Adolescent and Weight Management. She has over 10 years of diverse experience in nutrition management, nutrition counseling, clinical trials, teaching, media and writing and currently serves as Co-President elect of the Los Angeles District of the California Dietetic Association. She provides a unique approach to health and wellness across the entire lifespan. For the past seven years, Melissa has provided on-line education at universities to health professionals and the general public. She provides community lectures on children and adult nutrition and enjoys motivating her audience through encouraging small steps to healthier lifestyle changes while creating a fun approach to living. Most recently, with Super Kids Nutrition Inc. she shares her passion of creating a healthier “next generation” by working with other nutrition experts in the field to “save the world, one healthy food a time™”. Her books Super Baby's Abigail Lunch Time Adventure (Sept 2008) and Havoc at the Hillside Market (Oct 2008) and educational website entertains and motivates young children to develop healthy eating habits young so they can achieve their full potential by living a healthy life. If you have questions about the certificate program and courses, you may contact Melissa at mhalasliang@gmail.com.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH, is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for the Professional Certificate in Women’s Personal Exercise Training and Wellness. She has a diverse fitness background with over ten years of industry experience in campus recreation, corporate wellness, and the commercial health club setting. She has presented on a wide range of health and fitness topics for the community, at major corporations, and at national and international conferences. She also advocates bringing the fitness and medical community together through wellness and preventative programming. Jasmine specializes in Women’s Health and Wellness focusing on pre and postnatal fitness and is a Master Trainer for Healthy Moms® Fitness and Resist-a-ball®. If you have questions about the certificate program and courses, you may contact Jasmine at jasminepft@gmail.com.

Cody Sipe, Ph.D, is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for the Professional Certificate in Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults Program. He has a diverse background in the fitness industry including training and management in medically-based fitness, for-profit, not-for-profit and educational facilities. His primary areas of expertise are in fitness for older adults and in the prevention and management of chronic disease conditions. He regularly presents at national and international conferences and writes for a variety of publications. Cody was awarded the 2005 IDEA Program Director of the Year and the 2003 Midwest ACSM Clinical Exercise Professional of the Year. He serves as a contributing editor for IDEA and as a Committee Member for ACSM’s Strategic Health Initiative on Aging and Exercise Science.  If you have questions about the Professional Certificate in Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults, you may contact Cody at seniorpft@yahoo.com.