Dr. Hess’ professional background is rooted in athletic training and strength and conditioning, driven by a long-standing passion for understanding how physical preparedness, resilience, and training impact both performance and injury risk.
“Pursuing a doctoral degree was a natural next step to deepen my ability to conduct research, contribute meaningfully to the academic literature, and translate evidence into practical solutions for athletes, cadets, and military professionals.”
Bridging Theory and Practice at West Point
That passion ultimately led him to CSP Global’s Kinesiology doctoral program. When searching for a program, Dr. Hess wanted more than academic theory; he wanted a feasible and flexible curriculum that connected directly to real-world application.
“I chose CSP because of its strong applied kinesiology focus and its ability for bridging theory, research, and practice,” he said. “The program aligned well with my professional responsibilities and research interests, particularly in performance, injury prevention, and human performance.”
He elaborates, “CSP’s emphasis on faculty mentorship and applied research allowed me to immediately integrate doctoral learning into my teaching and research at West Point, making the program personally relevant and professionally impactful from the start.”
Balancing a Demanding Career with an Online EdD
He credits the program’s mentorship and flexibility as some of its greatest strengths. Choosing an online doctoral program allowed him to continue serving in a demanding full-time role while pursuing advanced academic work.
Dr. Gregory Hess at the 2024 Holistic Health and Fitness Symposium in Hampton, Virginia. This is an annual event hosted by the U.S. Army that focuses on optimizing human performance and military readiness.
“The mentorship and flexibility were the most valuable aspects of the program. CSP’s faculty provided thoughtful guidance while encouraging independence and intellectual ownership of my research.”
Dr. Hess also found tremendous value in the cohort model, which fostered collaboration and professional connection throughout the doctoral journey. For working professionals managing intense schedules, the format is ideal.
“The key benefit was flexibility without sacrificing quality.”
That flexibility proved essential as he continued leading courses and supporting cadet development at West Point. During the academic year, Dr. Hess serves as the course director for “Fundamentals of Personal Fitness,” a core course required for every plebe. He also helps provide medical coverage across departmental activities, including combatives, swimming, military movement, and boxing instruction.
During the summer months, his work shifts toward Cadet Basic Training (CBT), where he helps oversee New Cadet Reconditioning for cadets who are injured and unable to participate in standard physical readiness training. Beyond direct instruction, much of his work centers on improving systems and outcomes for cadets through planning, preparation, and collaborative working groups designed to enhance CBT effectiveness and safety.
“Every day is an adventure and every hour is different,” he shares.
Dissertation Research: Injury Prevention in Tactical Populations
This year, one of the accomplishments he is most proud of has been advancing research and education related to cadet physical readiness and injury prevention during Cadet Basic Training.
“Through collaborative research and data-driven analysis, I have worked to better inform training practices and support the long-term health and performance of cadets,” he said.
“Seeing research directly inform practice has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.”
That same focus became the foundation for his dissertation research.
“My dissertation focused on understanding the relationships between physical strength, training characteristics, and musculoskeletal injury risk during Cadet Basic Training,” he explained.
Motivated by the need to reduce injuries while maintaining elite performance standards, Dr. Hess’ research explored evidence-based approaches to improving outcomes in demanding tactical environments.
“This project remains a passion, as it contributes to evidence-based decision-making and has direct implications for training design, injury prevention strategies, and future research in tactical populations.”
Advice for Future Kinesiology Scholars
Reflecting on his doctoral journey, Dr. Hess encourages future students to remain grounded in purpose and curiosity.
“My advice is to stay curious, stay disciplined, and stay connected to your ‘why.’ A doctoral program is challenging, but approaching it as a meaningful opportunity to grow as both a scholar and practitioner makes the journey worthwhile.”
He also emphasizes the importance of relationships and meaningful research.
“Build strong relationships with faculty and peers, and choose research questions that genuinely matter to you and your field.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Hess plans to continue bridging science, leadership, and practical impact.
“Following graduation, my goals are to continue advancing questions related to my dissertation, mentoring future leaders, and contributing to military human performance.”
Explore Your Future
Are you ready to elevate your career and make a tangible impact in human performance, just like Dr. Gregory Hess? Discover how the online EdD in Kinesiology at CSP Global can help you bridge the gap between advanced research and real-world application. Explore our flexible, fully online curriculum designed for dedicated professionals today.