Exercise Science Faculty

Dr. Patrick Schneider came to Belmont in Fall 2006 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and currently serves as the department chair. Dr. Schneider earned a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Exercise Science; a Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Winona State University.

Prior to joining the faculty at Belmont, he was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology and the Associate Coordinator of the Adult Physical Fitness Program at Ball State University. Dr. Schneider also has three years of experience in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation working as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Dr. Schneider’s research interests are in the area of worksite wellness promotion programming, physical activity assessment and the use of activity trackers for promoting physical activity interventions. He has been a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) since 1997 and is an ACSM certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

Dr. Nick Bacon is an Associate Professor and joined the Department of Sport Science in Fall 2010. Dr. Bacon earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Alabama in Human Performance; a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from Western Kentucky University; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Western Kentucky University.

Currently he is Program Director of the Strength and Conditioning minor, and teaches Kinesiology and related Strength and Conditioning courses. Dr. Bacon's research interests include improving bouldering performance via basic gymnastics training.

Dr. Bacon is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Caitlyn Browning joined Belmont's Department of Exercise Science in Spring 2018. She is a Lecturer and Registered Dietitian.  Browning earned her Master’s Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science at Lipscomb University; completed her Dietetic Internship through Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon; and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Lipscomb University. Prior to her time at Belmont, she served as the Undergraduate Program Director in the College of Professional Studies at Lipscomb University.  

She is currently Program Director of the Nutrition minor and teaches nutrition and related wellness courses. Browning's research interests include diet inclusion, food insecurity and Intuitive Eating.  She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Dr. Erin Feser joined the Department of Sport Science as an Assistant Professor in the fall of 2022. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Auckland University of Technology in Sport and Exercise; a Master of Science degree from Miami University (Ohio) in Exercise and Health Studies; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in Health and Fitness. 

Previously, Dr. Feser was the Director of Education at Noraxon USA following faculty appointments at Arizona State University and Miami University. She currently serves as the Head of Science at Omorpho, a specialty fitness apparel company. As an applied sport biomechanist, Dr. Feser's research focuses on the use of wearable resistance as a performance training tool. She has been a member of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports since 2010. 

Dr. Huddleston came to Belmont in fall 2011. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Middle Tennessee State University in Human Performance; Master of Science from University of Memphis in Human Movement Science (concentrations in Exercise Science and Health Promotion); and Bachelor of Science from Lipscomb University in Kinesiology. Prior to her time at Belmont, she worked in health promotion with the senior population and coordinated the Memphis branch of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program.

Dr. Huddleston divides her teaching time between wellness (Honors and interdisciplinary learning communities) and exercise science classes. Her research interests are in the area of physical activity assessment and the relationship between regular movement and various measures of cognitive enhancement. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C).

Marnie Vanden Noven joined the Department of Sport Science as an Assistant Professor in fall 2012. She had been teaching the Athletic Training courses at Belmont as adjunct faculty prior to her full-time appointment. She received her bachelor of arts and master of science degrees from the University of Arizona, Master of Physical Therapy degree from Marquette University, and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Concordia University – Mequon. She earned her Interdisciplinary PhD at Marquette and is interested in the impact of aging on neuromuscular fatigue.

Before coming to Belmont University, Dr. Vanden Noven was previously on faculty at Marquette University where she taught courses in the athletic training, physical therapy and exercise science majors. She has practiced as a physical therapist and athletic trainer for Aurora Sports Medicine Institute in Milwaukee, WI, as well as for Vanderbilt and Baptist Sports Medicine in Nashville, TN. She is very active in the National Athletic Trainer's Association and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Mrs. Stacey Gleaton came to Belmont in Fall 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Leisure and Sports from the University of West Florida. She began her career in the state of Florida as a certified K-8 Physical Education Teacher and K-5 Adaptive Physical Education Teacher. After moving to Tennessee, she continued her teaching career as a certified K-12 Physical Educator/Health & Wellness Teacher gathering 24 years of professional teaching experience. She has also been a Head Coach in the sports of Softball, Varsity and JV Cheerleading, as well as Coach/Choreographer for a performance-based Jump Rope Team and Fitness Choreographer for Florida’s Junior Miss Program.

Mrs. Gleaton currently serves as the Administrative Assistant/Adjunct Coordinator for the Department of Exercise Science. She also mentors the department’s Graduate Assistants and serves on several of the University’s Health and Education committees.