The Ohio Athletic Training Association presented Wilmington College Professor Emerita Dr. Erika Goodwin with its 2024 Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award at the AOTA’s annual spring meeting.
Goodwin is a Wilmington College alumna who served as a professor of sport sciences and athletic training, provost, chief of staff and vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty during 27 years at WC. She even was interim president in 2020.
She continued to teach classes even while serving in the College’s senior administrative positions. While Goodwin taught mostly in the sport sciences and athletic training areas, she also instructed courses in anatomy and physiology for the Biology Department and courses in the agriculture/equine science program early in her career.
Over the years at WC, Goodwin also served as a staff athletic trainer, head athletic trainer and clinical education coordinator for athletic training before taking on senior administrative positions. She is well remembered for mentoring students with their AT research projects. She taught senior athletic training research courses for some 20 years and co-authored more than 200 student research projects, More than 120 of those projects were presented at state, regional and national Athletic Training Conferences and/or published in peer-reviewed journals. Many were recognized with Best in State awards.
Goodwin has served as the vice president of academic and student affairs at Southern State Community College since June 2022. She expressed her enjoyment of working with students.
“Whether it is teaching them in the classroom or taking care of their healthcare needs as an athletic trainer, I know the impact one person can have on a student,” she said. “We can change their lives with education and encouragement. All it takes is for one person to be that supportive advocate and cheerleader for them and they will work hard to meet your expectations.”
Goodwin cited the importance of having great mentors in her education.
“I was a first-generation college student and my mentors greatly impacted and helped shape my educational path and career,” she added. “I have simply spent my career ‘paying it forward.’ I can’t think of a more satisfying career than that.”
Goodwin earned her bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, a master’s degree from Wright State University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Union Institute and University.
She and her husband of 26 years, Brad, also a WC alumnus, reside on a farm just north of Wilmington with their two daughters, Emily and Gracie.
PHOTO: OATA President Ryan Weible presents Erika Goodwin with the 2024 Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award.