Meet Athletic Training Faculty
Michael E. Chapman, EdD, LAT, ATC
Program Director
Assistant Professor
mchapman02@spalding.edu
Dr. Chapman joined Spalding University in 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Michigan State University, a Master of Arts in Sport Management from Wingate University, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, focused on organizational change management and the implementation of injury prevention programming from Gardner-Webb University. Prior to his role at Spalding, Dr. Chapman was a Global Injury Prevention & Ergonomics Program Manager at Amazon.com, focused on musculoskeletal disorder risk reduction engineering solution development. He supported the development of the Amazon Injury Prevention Specialist program and the Global Ergonomic Engineering program. He has additional experience with, Division I and Division II college athletics, USA Olympic Training, NCAA March Madness, US Open (Golf), and NASCAR. His research focus surrounding MSD prevention and organizational implementation in both traditional and non-traditional settings as well as Spinal Health recovery.
Elisabeth “Beth” Shoulders, MS, LAT, ATC, CCISM
Coordinator of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor
eshoulders@spalding.edu
Beth is a native of Brandenburg, KY. In 2015, Beth received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from University of Louisville. She went on to be a part of the second Master of Science in Athlete Training cohort at Spalding University, graduating in 2017. Beth is Nationally Certified with the Board of Certification and state licensed with the Kentucky State Board of Medical Licensure. Beth also completed the Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland. She is a part of NATA, SEATA, and KATS. Beth is the region two representative for KATS, as well as the State Chair for ATs Care. Prior to coming to Spalding Beth was the Head Athletic Trainer at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, KY. Beth anticipates completing her PhD in Health Professional Education in 2027.
Lisa Potts, PhD
Associate Professor
lpotts01@spalding.edu
Lisa Potts graduated from Centre College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology. She earned her Doctorate in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology from the University of Louisville. She received training in neurophysiology and neuropharmacology as a post-doctoral scholar at Emory University, studying novel treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease in non-human primates. She continued training as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky, working on studies of neuroprotection in non-human primate and rodent models of Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Potts then expanded her study to spinal cord injury as a senior research associate at the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville. There she worked with patients who had sustained spinal cord injuries, studying the effects of epidural spinal cord stimulation on the cardiovascular system. Dr. Potts oversees the anatomy and neuroscience courses in the MSAT program.
Lauren Schneidtmiller
Administrative Coordinator
lschneidtmille@spalding.edu
Lauren Schneidtmiller is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated from Georgetown College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience in office management, recruiting, sales and coaching. Following graduation and her years playing collegiate volleyball, Lauren worked in the mental health setting and coached volleyball at her high school alma mater Louisville’s Mercy Academy.
Amy Verst, PhD, LAT, ATC, RNP
Adjunct Faculty
averst@spalding.edu
Dr. Verst received a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science from Bellarmine University. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a certified athletic trainer. Dr. Verst is highly experienced in care of children and disabled athletes. She teaches the Medical-Surgical Conditions and Diagnostic Tests course in the MSAT program. Dr. Verst also assists the Spalding University Athletic program as a volunteer assistant athletic trainer.
Kaitlin Niemiec, MLA, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer
kniemiec@spalding.edu
Kaitlin Niemiec is the current Head Athletic Trainer at Spalding University. Certified athletic trainer since 2012. Earned Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at the University of Texas. Worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and earned master’s degree at Tulane University. Previously was an assistant athletic trainer at Campbellsville University and later Head Athletic Trainer at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg and created the athletic training department.
Accreditation
Spalding University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). CAATE Program Information and Outcomes for the Spalding MSAT Program can be found here: https://caate.net/program-info/440/.
Download our MSAT student handbook (PDF).
