-
About
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
COVID-19 Response
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Return to Research
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Process to Request Access to Campus Facilities
- Steps Required Before Returning to Campus
- Researcher Responsibilities
- Human Subjects Research
- University Guidance for Researchers
- Adjustments to Work Arrangements
- On-Campus Facility and Building Use
- Personal Safety Practices
- Returning to On-Campus Research Activities
- Undergraduate Research Experiences
-
Return to Teaching
Explore
-
Return to Work
Explore
-
Additional Resources and References
Explore
- Center for Health Care and Policy Research Hours of Operation
-
HHD Hours of Operation
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Center for Childhood Obesity Research Hours of Operation
- Center for Healthy Aging Hours of Operation
- Center for Student Advising and Engagement
- Clinical Research Center Hours of Operation
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute Hours of Operation
- Dean's Office
- EPIS Hours of Operation
- Ford Buildling
- Hours of Operation - CSD
- Hours of Operation - HDFS
- Hours of Operation - HPA
- Hours of Operation - KINES
- Hours of Operation - NUTR
- Hours of Operation - RPTM
- Hours of Operation - RPTM
- Hours of Operation - SHM
- PA Office of Rural Health Hours of Operation
- PA SNAP-Ed Hours of Operation
- Prevention Research Center Hours of Operation
-
Return to Research
- Overview of the College
- Meet the Dean
- News and Events
-
Events
Explore
-
Profiles
Explore
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Explore
-
Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
College Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
Explore
-
Diversity Achievement Award
Explore
-
Martha “Marty” Adams Undergraduate Advising Award
Explore
-
Ann C. Crouter Early Career Faculty Award
Explore
-
Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award
Explore
-
HHD Alumni Society Excellence in Teaching Award
Explore
-
Leadership in Outreach Award
Explore
-
Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Explore
-
Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award
Explore
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
-
HHD Alumni Society Awards
Explore
-
College Awards
-
Commencement
Explore
-
Strategic Plans
Explore
- Employers and Industry
- Our Valued Partners
- History
- Donate
- Contact
-
COVID-19 Response
-
Undergraduate
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Getting Started
Explore
-
Majors and Minors
Explore
-
Honors Program
Explore
-
Advising
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Academic Integrity
Explore
- Academic Progress
- Advising Resources
-
Change of Campus
Explore
- Declaring a Major/Minor
-
Enforcement of Recommended Preparation
Explore
- Learning Support
- Petitions to University Policies and Procedures
-
Policies and Procedures
Explore
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Adviser
-
Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
- Dean's List
-
Academic Integrity
- Student Organizations
-
Student Profiles
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore
-
Student Research
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health
-
Study Abroad
Explore
- Take a Professor to Lunch
-
Research Opportunities
Explore
-
Internships and Career Opportunities
Explore
-
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Explore
-
Women's Leadership Initiative
Explore
-
Summer Session
Explore
-
Undergraduate News
Explore
- Dean's Welcome Meeting
- Parents and Family Association
-
Visit and Apply
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Discover HHD
Explore
-
HHD Instagram Ambassadors
Explore
-
Getting Started
-
Graduate
Explore
-
Alumni
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Events
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Alumni Virtual Events
Explore
-
Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- 2021 - Derrick Campana
- 2019 - Ariel Clatty
- 2018 - James Fitzgerald
- 2018 - Susan Robinson
- 2017 - Janet Rosenzweig
- 2015 - Scott M. Smith
- 2014 - Mark McCamish
- 2013 - Patricia Hillkirk
- 2012 - Jill Jayne
- 2011 - Robert E. Hillman
- 2010 - Joanne Finegan
- 2009 - Mario Lafortune
- 2008 - Mary Ellen Clark
- 2007 - Wendy A. Owen
-
Alumni Virtual Events
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
News
Explore
-
Get Involved
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Mentor a Student
Explore
-
Join an Affiliate Program Group
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders APG
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration APG
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies APG
Explore
-
Kinesiology APG
Explore
-
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS)
Explore
-
Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS)
Explore
-
Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG
Explore
- Get Involved with an Affiliate Program Group
- Professional Golf Management APG
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
-
HHD Alumni Society
Explore
-
Mentor a Student
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Awards
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
- Kinesiology
-
Alumni Profiles
Explore
- Nutritional Sciences
- Alumni Magazine
- Career Resources for Alumni
- Update Your Contact Information
- Volunteer Leaders
- About A Greater Penn State Campaign
- Donate
- Contact
-
Events
-
Research
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Departments
Explore
Our Story/Matthew Bakowicz
September 2017
Becoming an instructor at Penn State was not the plan for Matthew Bakowicz.
When he enrolled in the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) program in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) at Penn State as an undergraduate student he envisioned a different future.
Bakowicz never thought he would be teaching students at his alma mater.
“I thought I’d do college for four years and then work as a head golf pro, probably in the New York area; I love the Long Island area,” Bakowicz said.
But life has a way of going in unexpected directions. As Bakowicz got closer to earning his bachelor’s degree he completed several internships, including one at the Golf Teaching and Research Center (GTRC) at Penn State, which uses innovative technology to conduct research to improve player performance, and offers advanced services to golfers, including golf swing biomechanics. Bakowicz also gained opportunities to assist with teaching.
As graduation neared, his professors began asking if he had considered going to graduate school. It hadn’t occurred to him, but this new suggestion seemed to click because he recently found he enjoyed research and teaching. A master’s degree would allow him to do more of both. So after graduation, Bakowicz began earning a master’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism management at Penn State.
As a graduate student, Bakowicz worked as an adjunct professor, teaching courses like Political and Legal Aspects of Recreation and Organizational Behavior. He also taught a course that introduced students to the basics of golf and another course that helped students teach the game of golf.
At the same time, Bakowicz served as manager of the GTRC, overseeing daily operations, including supervising interns and handling data collection for research projects, and providing golf lessons to students.
Bakowicz also worked for the Bryce Jordan Center as an usher and for the State College Spikes, a minor league baseball team, where he was in charge of analytics for the players, tracking aspects like pitch velocity, how hard a batter hit a ball, and the ball’s spin rotation.
“Working in all of these places makes me a better teacher because I can bring into the classroom my experiences, which helps with my credibility and shows students what they can do after college,” Bakowicz said.
In 2016, Bakowicz earned his master’s degree from Penn State. From there, he kept serving as an adjunct professor. Less than a year later, Penn State hired Bakowicz as a full-time faculty member. In this role, he is the GTRC’s lab manager and oversees the PGA of America work experience assignments, monitoring student's progress through the PGA's Golf Management program, and is the facility adviser for the RPTM Affiliate Program Group Board, an extension of the Penn State Alumni Association. He also teaches a variety of courses for RPTM, kinesiology, and hospitality management.
“I don’t see myself leaving Penn State. I like it here because of the uniqueness of the environment; it feels like a family environment, not just a work environment,” Bakowicz said. “At Penn State, we’re always trying to be innovative and try something new; we’re at the forefront of research, sports programs, and internships programs. There’s always pressure to change and be innovative so the work never becomes stagnant.”
There are eight areas for students to study within the College of Health and Human Development:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Health Policy and Administration
Human Development and Family Studies
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management