As part of Simmons University's 125th Anniversary Reunion, Assistant Professors Jacqueline Beatty and Tim Hanway, along with Associate Professor Matthew O'Rourke, will co-host a dynamic workshop titled Decades in Motion: Tailoring Your Approach to Strength, Nutrition, and Movement for a Lifetime of Wellness. They will be joined by undergraduate Health and Exercise Science students Emily Crown '26, Karla Villanueva '25, Aleia Hayes '25, and Jenna Higgins '25.
This interactive session will explore two important concepts: muscle-span, which refers to how long an individual can maintain strong, healthy muscles, and strength-span, the duration a person can remain physically capable and strong. These ideas emphasize how muscle health contributes to energy, independence, mental clarity, and overall well-being as we age.
Supported by the latest research in movement, nutrition, and healthy aging, the team will also share early findings from a student-led research project focused on the attitudes and behaviors of women aged 40 and older regarding resistance training and dietary protein intake. Drawing inspiration from experts such as Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Dr. Stacy Simms, and Dr. Avery Faigenbaum, the workshop blends scientific insights with personal stories from Simmons alumnae/i, providing a relatable and practical approach to maintaining strength and wellness through the decades.
Attendees will engage in breakout sessions led by students, offering wellness tips tailored to various stages of life. This session blends real-world experiences with science-backed strategies, reflecting Simmons' strong commitment to women's health, lifelong learning, and collaborative, forward-thinking education.
Whether you're navigating your 40s or embracing your 90s, Decades in Motion is crafted to empower, inform, and inspire you to take charge of your strength and wellness at any age.
Student Researcher Bios
Emily Crown, Class of 2026
Currently pursuing my degree in Exercise Science, I'm a proud member of the Simmons Class of 2026 and a student researcher on the Muscle-Centric Health Fellowship Study. I was drawn to this project because I believe women's lived experiences — especially around strength, nutrition, and aging — deserve to be represented in the data that shapes care. This work aligns with my passion for empowering individuals with health and wellness. Through Simmons, I've gained the confidence to advocate, collaborate, and innovate within the health sciences. I look forward to engaging with the Simmons community at the 125th Celebration and sharing research that reflects our collective values of equity, purpose, and curiosity.
Aleia Hayes, Class of 2025
I'm currently an Exercise Science student at Simmons, graduating in 2025. I joined the Muscle-Centric Health Fellowship Study team to explore how resistance training and muscle health can empower women to take control of their own health and longevity, and to better understand the barriers that make this difficult. My personal research interests focus on exercise oncology and chronic disease prevention, particularly on the factors that hinder exercise adherence. I was especially drawn to this project's focus on amplifying personal narratives, since these crucial perspectives are often overlooked in exercise research in lieu of quantifiable data. This opportunity has equipped me with valuable hands-on research experience that will support my future goal of pursuing a master's in public health.
Simmons has taught me the importance of working within a like-minded community, fostering scientific curiosity, and elevating underrepresented voices in research. By contributing to the 125th Anniversary Event, I hope to inspire others to learn more and to kick-start a research project that can make a tangible impact on the lives of women, not only within the Simmons community but locally and beyond.
Karla Villanueva, Class of 2025
Currently pursuing my degree in Exercise Science, I'm a proud member of the Simmons Class of 2025 and a student researcher on the Muscle-Centric Health Fellowship Study. This work aligns with my passion for inclusive wellness and culturally competent healthcare, which I plan to carry forward as I enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Rhode Island. As a first-generation Latina, I feel a deep responsibility to amplify BIPOC voices in both research and practice. Through my capstone on resistance training among postmenopausal women and my ongoing work with the Fellowship team, I've been able to explore how intersecting identities impact access to care and health outcomes.
Simmons has empowered me to advocate, collaborate, and innovate within the health sciences, and I look forward to engaging with the Simmons community at the 125th Celebration to share research that reflects our shared values of equity, purpose, and curiosity.
Jenna Higgins, Class of 2025
Currently pursuing my degree in Exercise Science, I'm a proud member of the Simmons Class of 2025 and a student researcher on the Muscle-Centric Health Fellowship Study. This work aligns with my passion for resistance training, inclusive wellness, and evidence-based education. Through Simmons, I've gained the confidence to advocate, collaborate, and innovate within the health sciences. I look forward to engaging with the Simmons community at the 125th Celebration and sharing research that reflects our collective values of equity, purpose, and curiosity.
Faculty Bios
Tim Hanway, Assistant Professor of Practice, Health & Exercise Science Program
Tim Hanway is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Internship Coordinator in Health and Exercise Science at Simmons University. Driven by a passion to redefine aging and empower others through movement, his work helps students become confident professionals who champion lifelong wellness. A former Olympic-level performance coach, Tim now researches muscle-centric health strategies that support women over 40 in building strength, energy, and resilience. By aligning hands-on learning with Simmons' mission and values, he equips the next generation to lead with purpose — bridging science and human connection to create healthier communities, one student and one story at a time.
Jacqueline Beatty, an Assistant Professor of Nutrition
Jacqueline Beatty, an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Simmons, brings 30+ years of experience as a Registered Dietitian. She holds a PhD in Nutrition and an MS in Physical Education, and leads the Sports Nutrition Certification Program at Simmons. Passionate about teaching and learning, she creates hands-on ways to apply nutrition science and exercise principles in the classroom. Her research focuses on the effects of nutrition counseling in collegiate athletes, the impact of interprofessional education, and the perspectives of women over 40 on protein and muscle health. Jacqueline champions inclusive, evidence-based health education to empower her students and community.
Matt O'Rourke, Assistant Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Matt O'Rourke is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Simmons University. He is a proud alumni of the Simmons University DPT Program and has worked as an adjunct at Simmons since 2015 prior to coming on board full-time in 2022. Matt is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and continues to treat patients in an outpatient orthopedic clinic two days per week. He is passionate about bridging the gap between the academic and clinical world to improve patient outcomes both now and in the future.