Faculty and Staff

Kristen Couper Schellhase is the program director for the Athletic Training Program at the University of Central Florida. Previously, she was an associate athletic trainer at UCF working with the Softball and Track and Field Teams from 1999-2004. She has been an instructor with the program since 2000. She has a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from UCF, a Master of Education in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia, and an undergraduate degree in exercise science/athletic training from The Pennsylvania State University.

Before coming to UCF, Schellhase was the assistant athletic trainer at Coastal Carolina University, working with 18 Division I sports teams. While there, she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and she supervised the student athletic trainer internship program and student athletic trainers’ organization.

Schellhase teaches several courses in the program, including Foundational Behaviors of AT I and II, Prevention of Injury and Illness in AT, Therapeutic Interventions in AT I and II, and Administration in AT I and II. She is also the primary advisor to the program’s students, and a former advisor of the Student Athletic Training Organization (SATO). She is the current advisor for the Gamma Iota chapter of Iota Tau Alpha (ITA), the National Academic Honor Society for the athletic training profession. Schellhase served as the athletic trainer to the U-21 Women’s Basketball National Team, traveling to France and Moscow for the World Championships. She is a 2007 recipient of the NACADA Outstanding New Faculty Advisor Award. She also received the 2005 ATAF College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year Award and a 2012 NACADA Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit Winner – Faculty Academic Advising Category.

Schellhase stays active as an athletic trainer by volunteering with Orange County Public Schools’ high schools and with the Magical Classic Gymnastics Meet (level 1- elite gymnastics).

Credentials

  • EdD, Doctor of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Central Florida
  • LAT, Licensed Athletic Trainer
  • ATC, Certified Athletic Trainer
Areas of Specialty
  • AT Knowledge of Therapeutic Modalities
  • AT Education
  • Athletic Training Administration
  • Health Literacy
  • Athletic Training Alumnus Scores Success with Orlando City Soccer Club

    Written By: Lasha Markham | September 12, 2024
    Tyler Killinger ’16, pictured here with his wife Kristen Taylor Killinger ’17, was named Professional Athletic Trainer of the year by the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. Meet Tyler Killinger...
  • How NFL Player Damar Hamlin Tackled the Odds: Health Experts Weigh In

    Written By: Heather Lovett | January 23, 2023
    A panel of UCF medical and rehabilitation experts discuss what happened, what Hamlin’s physical and mental recovery could look like, and protecting the heart health of athletes.
  • Kristen Schellhase Inducted into 2022 Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida Hall of Fame

    Written By: David Janosik | July 12, 2022
    (pictured left) Kristen Schellhase and (right) Elaine Judy Kristen Schellhase, program director for UCF Athletic Training Program, was inducted into the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida (ATAF) Hall of Fame...
  • UCF Awards 137 Faculty With Promotion and Tenure

    Written By: Allison Hurtado ’12 and Joe Adams | June 2, 2022
    Consideration for promotion and tenure takes nearly an entire academic year as faculty are evaluated on three main areas: research, teaching and service. Eighty-nine UCF faculty received promotions and another 48...
  • New AT Scholarship Honors Program’s Co-Founder, Celebrates His Love for Family, Students and Profession

    Written By: Camille Dolan '98 | October 27, 2021
    A new memorial scholarship in UCF Athletic Training honors David Cassidy, one of the co-founders of the athletic training program and a long-time supporter of the program and its students....
  • Gift box icon

    GIVE A GIFT

    To help fund student scholarships, faculty excellence and innovative programming.
    Support UCF