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Tara Peterson

Tara Peterson faculty photo

 

Name:  Tara Peterson
Department: Health Sciences
Program: Athletic Training
Rank: Assistant Professor
Title: Coordinator of Clinical Education
Work Phone: 828-227-3506
Work Email: tdpeterson@wcu.edu
Office address : HHSB 424

Education:
MS-University of Florida - 2007
BS- University of New England - 2005

Licenses & Specialty Credentialing: 
Licensed Athletic Trainer
Certified Athletic Trainer
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Bio:
Tara Peterson joined the faculty at Western Carolina in January of 2013. Originally from Bristol, Connecticut, she completed her BS in Athletic Training in 2005 from the University of New England and her Master of Science in Applied Kinesiology and Physiology in 2007 from the University of Florida. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education with a focus in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, and plans to graduate in May 2020.

Prior to coming to WCU, she was an assistant athletic trainer and adjunct professor at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. She also spent two years at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina where she was an assistant athletic trainer and assistant professor. Tara also has experience as the head athletic trainer at Buccholz High School in Gainesville, Florida and spent three years working in the WNBA, two seasons with the CT Sun (Intern AT then Assistant AT) and then one season with the Minnesota Lynx (Assistant AT). In addition to her full-time work experience, she has also served as an athletic trainer for multiple camps and tournaments, and continues to serve as the head athletic trainer at Smoky Mountain Running Camp in Asheville, NC, a position she has held since the summer of 2008.

Tara currently serves as a member of the career center team for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo. She is the faculty advisor for the Athletic Training Association, the student club on campus which focuses on a place for AT students of all levels to come together as well as providing opportunities for students to complete community service projects throughout the region. She has had several presentations at the state and regional level, and has assisted students with developing case studies that have been presented at local, state, regional, and national meetings. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, photography, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

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