Congratulations to Tim Curry, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for October 2020. Curry is an Assistant Professor in the Health Science department and has been with the College for nearly eight years teaching Health and Wellness, Global Health, Exercise Assessment and Design, and Applied Kinesiology.
“I teach because I enjoy the process of passing knowledge to other people, especially when you get to see an "Aha!" moment when something clicks,” said Curry.
Curry is an Exercise Physiologist with training in both clinical and sports performance work. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Biology from Western State College, now Western Colorado University, a Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, and is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with The American College of Sports Medicine. Curry was offered a teaching position at CWI while working in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a sports medicine practice.
“I was looking for a way to get into teaching at a college level. CWI provided an opportunity for me to not only do that but also design an entire exercise science program – a pretty unique opportunity. After my in-person interview and a chance to see the area, I was sold. Because of CWI, I have been able to find a place I love to live and a job that provides the flexibility to do what I enjoy.”
In addition to small class sizes and professors who are focused on teaching, Curry appreciates how CWI provides an opportunity for all to pursue higher education regardless of their state in life or past education experiences.
“In our programs, we spend a lot of time with direct application and hands-on work which helps prepare our students to not only move forward to a four-year institution but also to take field-specific certifications which enhance their ability to get a job during or after their time at CWI.”
"Tim is an asset to not only our Health Science department, but to the College overall," said Health Science Department Chair, Aaron von Lindern. "His ingenuity is unmatched as he is constantly figuring out new ways to improve our processes for building student success. Tim takes great pride in the Human Performance Lab where he offers first- and second-year students hands-on learning opportunities they would be unlikely to gain until their third or fourth years in a university setting. Most of all, Tim is generous with his time and talents as he will go out of his way to help his students and fellow colleagues."
"Tim, to me, is the pinnacle of everything you want in a professor," said Ryan Hughes, a student of Curry's majoring in Exercise Science. "He teaches at a fast pace and in-depth, but at the same time, he is more than willing to take the time to help his students with questions. What I respect most about him is his vast array of knowledge in a multitude of different sports and different types of fitness – a quality I think is rare. He is very studious, intelligent, well versed, detail oriented, and the type of person who has that perfect level of brains and brawn – something I aspire to be myself."
Curry, originally from Kansas City, grew up in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys running, hiking with his wife and dog in the city and foothills, and mountain biking.
“Mountain biking is the greatest sport in the world! I am a former cross country mountain bike racer and still try to get out and ride as much as possible. Additionally, I volunteer with the Boise Brave High School Mountain Bike team as the assistant head coach.”
