Degrees and Certifications

• Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
• M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Biography

Erin E. Centeio, Ph.D., is currently an Associate Professor in the College of Education, Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science at The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She currently serves as the program coordinator of the Health and Physical Education. Erin obtained her Bachelor and Masters in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. Erin spent six years at Wayne State University before joining the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Erin’s research focuses on integrating culturally relevant physical activity opportunities before, during, and afterschool and understanding the implications of culturally relevant physical activity, fitness, and health interventions on children’s overall health and wellbeing, as well as the cognitive and psychosocial benefits. As such, she consults with numerous community programmers, physical education teachers and schools in order to maximize potential for quality physical education and additional opportunities for physical activity before, during and after school. Through local partnerships Erin and her team work with schools and districts to implement quality and culturally relevant health programming. Erin has received research and scholarship awards from the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), the American Education Research Association (AERA), and the International Organization for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP). She has been a principal/co-investigator on over 10 million dollars in grant funding, authored/coauthored over 100 presentations at National and International conferences, and published 7 book chapters and over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts focusing on integrating physical activity and healthy eating interventions into school and community settings. In addition to her scholarship, Erin believes that service to the fields of physical education and physical activity is important. She currently serves as the past president of SHAPE America Western District, as well as SHAPE America CSPAP SIG Chair. Erin is currently an executive board member of HAHPERD (Hawai‘i Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) and she is also part of local taskforces in the State of Hawai‘i that focus on decreasing obesity among youth and increasing physical activity. She has previously served on committees and taskforces through SHAPE America, as well as within the States of Illinois, Michigan, and Hawai‘i.

Area of Expertise

• Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs
• Healthy School Transformations
• Physical Education Curriculum
• Technology in Physical Education
• Sociocultural Issues in Physical Education
• Youth physical activity interventions

Research Interests

Erin’s research interests center around increasing youth physical activity with hopes of reducing childhood obesity and risks of chronic disease among urban youth. Dr. Centeio's conducts research in both the school and community settings. Through the school setting she focuses on implementing healthy school transformations and integrating phsycial activity before, during, and afterschool. She seeks to understand the impact that increased physical activity can have on obesity and chronic disease as well as academic outcomes. Erin also works within community settings to design programs that will increase the physical activity levels of youth and their families.

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