Transitioning to Higher Education
After working in the health and fitness industry, Dr. Gannon realized he wanted to pursue a career in higher education. Following the completion of a master’s degree and securing a university position, he began looking at doctoral programs to take the next step in his academic journey.
“I had been accepted to other doctoral programs but I wanted to find the right fit and someplace where I would learn and not just go through the motions,” he recalls. He discovered CSP and thought it was a great fit, a feeling that was solidified after a few email conversations with the Program Director, Dr. Matthew Buns.
Finding the Right Fit and ROI at CSP Global
Prospective students often wonder if an online doctorate will provide a tangible return on investment. Dr. Gannon’s experience directly answers this, proving that the right program offers rigorous career preparation rather than just a credential.
“CSP was more than I expected. I wanted to ensure that I enrolled in a program [where] I would be challenged as a student, but also within my career, and that at the end of it I would know that it was a worthy investment and not just a diploma,” Dr. Gannon explains. “I can truly say that this came true. My experience at CSP was phenomenal, from my courses to the dissertation process and defense. I felt supported as a student and as a professional. Specifically, within my dissertation process, an area that often brings considerable worry and hesitation, I encountered an extremely smooth process.”
Dissertation Support and Applied Research
Dr. Drew Gannon teaching Introduction to Health and Human Performance at Fort Hays State University.
Dr. Gannon’s dissertation topic was directly inspired by the KHS 7220 Advanced Mechanisms of Skilled Neuromuscular Behavior class taught by Dr. Matthew Buns. During discussions about feedback frequencies for athletes, they discovered a gap in the existing research. Consequently, Dr. Gannon began exploring how feedback impacts skill development in athletes, an underrepresented research group. While investigating optimal feedback frequency, he found that athletes prefer receiving both knowledge of results and knowledge of performance. This provides valuable insight for coaches looking to tailor feedback to these preferences, strengthen coach-athlete relationships, promote team cohesion, and enhance athlete motivation.
Upon reflecting on his dissertation experience, Dr. Gannon acknowledges the exceptional level of support he received from his committee members, Dr. Buns, Dr. LaMott, and Dr. Richardson. The one-on-one faculty mentorship provided by CSP Global’s EdD committee members facilitated a highly supported research process.
“I recall each of them taking the time to support me on a one-on-one basis,” he says. “I remember ending those Zoom calls feeling that I was fully capable. Each time I got off a call with a committee member, I felt energized to continue and was reminded that I was capable and could achieve my goals and dreams.”
Community Impact and the NCAA Award of Excellence
Since graduating, Dr. Gannon has been involved in several inspiring projects, including the Tigers for IDD Sports and Fitness Night. Each year, Fort Hays State University hosts events for local Special Olympics athletes who come to campus to play sports with different athletic teams. Student-athletes lead various sports stations and have the opportunity to interact with members of the Special Olympics. Due to this inclusive and meaningful community event, Fort Hays State was one of 22 institutions honored as a finalist for the 2025 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
Advice for Future Kinesiology Scholars
Going forward, Dr. Gannon’s goal is to continue working in higher education and help future professionals in their own development. He highly recommends CSP Global to others who are looking for a doctoral degree, acknowledging the university’s unique opportunity to build community with peers, even in an online format.
His advice to current and prospective CSP Global students is simple: “Find a community with CSP and go through the journey together. What you put into it you will get out of it.”
Explore Your Future
Are you ready to advance your career in higher education, research, or clinical practice? Discover how the online EdD in Kinesiology at CSP Global can help you achieve your professional goals. Learn more about our curriculum, expert faculty, and supportive online community today.