University Directory

Karin M. Richards, PhD, MS, ACSM, ACE CPT-GFI

Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Chair of Health Sciences

Headshot of Karin Richards

Department

Office

Mandeville 365

Phone

610-660-2982
Contact

Dr. Karin is an experienced educator and administrator with over 17 years of expertise in higher education. She holds a PhD in Health Policy from Saint Joseph's University, a Master's degree in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Wesleyan University. Dr. Richards has served in roles such as Department Chair, Director of General Education, Department Vice Chair, and School of Health Professions Council Chair and Secretary. At Saint Joseph's University, Dr. Richards teaches courses on the social determinants of mental health, health and society, health & wellness, health policy, medical terminology and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about fostering student success and promoting innovative, evidence-based teaching methods especially through AI and hands-on application of skills.

She holds certifications in yoga, holistic stress management, mindfulness and positive psychology.

Her research interests include psychological resilience techniques, stress reduction methods, long-term behavior maintenance and the application of innovative techniques to increase the quality of life through mental health. 

When she’s not teaching, Dr. Richards enjoys spending time with her daughter who is pursuing musical theatre in Missouri, their two pitties, Nani & Arlo, running in Disney races and visiting Disney Parks. She has completed the Dopy Challenge (5K, 10K, Half and Full marathon on consecutive days = 48.6 miles), the Goofy Challenge (half and full marathon on consecutive days = 39.3 miles); the Princess Half Marathon and Star Wars Weekend Half Marathon. She also enjoys volleyball and pickleball.

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Policy (2017) - University of the Sciences Philadelphia, PA; Dissertation: The role of physical activity in school district wellness policies 

    Master of Science in Sport Management (2001) - Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA; Thesis: Attendance Factors at Minor League Baseball Games 

    Bachelor of Science in Hotel/Restaurant Management (1988) - North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount, NC

  • Courses (New Development) 

    • HS 400 Introduction to Interprofessional Development (Lecture) 
    • HS 390 Medical Terminology I & II (Lecture) 
    • HS 410 Fieldwork (Fieldwork) (Lecture) 
    • HS 110 Health Science Seminar I (Lecture) 
    • HS 111 Health Science Seminar II (Lecture)
    • HS 190 CPR & First Aid Certification (Lecture)
    • HS 490 Special Topics: Reiki I & II (Lecture)
    • HS 490 Special Topics: Health Coaching (Lecture) 
    • HS 490 Special Topics Complementary Wellness (Lecture)

    Foundation

    • HSC 110 Introduction to Health Professions (Lecture) 
    • HSC 150 Health & Wellness First Year Seminar (Lecture) 
    • HSC 217 Social Determinants of Mental Health (Lecture) 
    • HSC 252 Health Policy (Lecture)
    • HSC 323 Health & Society (Lecture) 
    • HSC 331 Research Methods (Lecture) 
    • HSC 390 Medical Terminology (Lecture) 
    • HSC 410 Fieldwork (Experiential Education) 
    • INT 151 Inequality in America (Lecture)
    • 2022-present: Associate Professor of Practice Department of Health Science, Saint Joseph’s University 
    • 2022-2023: Associate Professor of Practice/Vice Chair Department of Health Science, Saint Joseph’s University 
    • 2021-2022: Director of General Education/Director of Health Science Department of Kinesiology, University of the Sciences 
    • 2018-2022: Chair/Assistant Professor Department of Kinesiology, University of the Sciences 
    • 2016-2018: Chair/Lecturer Department of Kinesiology, University of the Sciences 
    • 2012-2016: Program Director, Health Science/Instructor Department of Health Science, University of the Sciences
    • 2008-2012: Program Director, Exercise Science & Wellness Management/Instructor Department of Health Science, University of the Sciences 
    • 2008-2012: Program Director/Instructor, Health Science Department of Health Science, University of the Sciences 
    • 2007-2008: Program Consultant & Adjunct Instructor Department of Health Science, University of the Sciences

  • Peer Reviewed Publications

    • Richards, K. (2021). An intervention to build hope. Annals of Public Health & Epidemiology 1(4). 1-5. APHE.MS.ID.000.520
    • Richards, K. (2021). Peer mentors and the undergrad healthcare student: A integral part of the academic and personal learning experience. Associative Journal of Health Sciences, 1(4). AJHS.000517.1(4).2021
    • Richards, K., Kellar, B. & Dietz, D. (2021). Finding hope: Remembering moments of joy. Open Access Journal of Addictions and Psychology, 4, (4) . 10.33552/OAJAP.2020.04.000591
    • Richards, K. (2020). Fearing the future: A call to teach hope. Online Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(4). 10.33552/OJCAM.2021.05.000616
    • Pelletier, E., Richards, K., Roberts, N., & Speakman, E. (2018). Socialization of first year students through interprofessional education activities. Auburn University International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning Conversation Starter Essays, p. 75-77.
    • Richards, K. Contributor. Bocco, D. Bite Size Wellness. Imbolc Books. p.33. 2012.

    Peer Review Presentations

    • Richards, K. (2021). Hope for Student Mental Health: A Global Concern. June 2020. International Perspectives on University Teaching & Learning. Orlando, Florida. (not presented due to COVID). 
    • Richards, K. (2020). Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the STEAM Sector. Hawaii University International Conferences on Science, Technology & Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Education. Honolulu, Hawaii. (not presented due to COVID) 
    • Richards, K. (2019). From Training to Transforming: Applying a Coach Approach to Elevate the Member Experience. Anytime Fitness Vitals Conference. Atlanta, Georgia. 
    • Richards, K. (2019) From Training to Transforming: Applying a Coach Approach to Elevate the Member Experience. Anytime Fitness Vitals Conference. Ontario, Canada. 
    • Richards, K. (2019). From Training to Transforming: Applying a Coach Approach to Elevate the Member Experience. Anytime Fitness Vitals Conference. Boston, Massachusetts. 
    • Richards, K. (2018) Behavior Change in Practice: Hands-on Skills for Health Coaches and Exercise Professionals. American Council on Exercise Workshop. Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 
    • Speakman, E., Giordano, C., Armitage, A., Richards, K., Farber, G., Favinger, A., Pelletier, E., Roberts, N., Zupee, J. (2018). Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions Conference. Escape Game Techniques to teach Undergrads Inter-professional Skills Poster Presentation. St. Petersburg, FL. 
    • Speakman, E., Giordano, C., Armitage, A., Richards, K., Farber, G., Favinger, A., Pelletier, E., Roberts, N., Zupee, J. (2018). Thomas Jefferson University Conference on Interprofessional Care in the 21st Century. Poster Presentation. Philadelphia, PA. 
    • Pelletier, E., Richards, K., Roberts, N. & Speakman, E. (2018). Socialization of first year students through interprofessional education activities. Auburn University International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning.
    • Richards, K. & Kellar, B. (2018). Building Interprofessional Teams Through 3D Printing LillyAnaheim Teaching & Learning Conference. Anaheim, CA. 
    • Downs, G. & Richards, K. (2018). Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment and Motivational Interviewing. Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. Lancaster, PA. 
    • Richards, K. (2017). Applying Behavior Change Techniques. Five-hour workshop. American Council on Exercise. New York City, NY. 
    • Richards, K. (2017). Applying Behavior Change Techniques. Five-hour workshop. American Council on Exercise. Cherry Hill, NJ.

  • External Grants 

    • Roos, M., Thielman, G., & Richards, K. ($20,000) Surviving Stroke: Telehealth Exercise & Rehabilitation for Philadelphians with Stroke. Edna G. Kynett Memorial Foundation. 2020. 
    • Richards, K. William Jeans Library. ($250), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Training for Teens. 2019. 
    • Downs, G.; Poon, C.; Michael G. Thomson; Daniel J. Ventricelli; Richards, K., Ward, J. & Janke, A. ($943,000), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment of Substance Abuse (SBIRT) Champion, 2015-2018. 

    Internal Grants 

    • Richards, K. ($1200) SJU Inequality in America Faculty Development Seminar. 2024. 
    • Richards, K. Kellar, B., & Enam, N. Milton Lev. Impacting Perceptions and Attitudes of Mental Health. 2018. (Not funded)

  • Health Science, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, and Public Health research projects 

    • 2024 (in progress): Psychological Resilience Enhancement Techniques for College Freshmen: A Comparative Study; Student: D. Rossi 
    • 2023 (in progress): Comparative Efficacy of Meditation Practice and Acoustic Vibration Chair Therapy for Stress Reduction; Student: D. Cherepanova
    • 2021: Finding hope: Remembering Moments of Joy; Student: D. Dietz
    • 2020: Beginning again: Assessing hope through a pandemic; Students: D. Dietz, R. Ibrahim, & S. Noel
    • 2019: Effects of hope through meditation and yoga; Student: S. Noel 
    • 2018: Factors that predict long-term behavior maintenance Doctoral Dissertation; Student: L. Al-Uquah 
    • 2018: 3D Printing in physical therapy; Students: A. Vorsa & G. Pallente 
    • 2021 Nominee, Phyllis Blumberg Learning-Centered Teaching Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2021 Nominee, Founder’s Day Faculty of Merit. University of the Sciences 
    • 2018 Nominee, Student Advocate Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2018 Nominee, Bright Idea Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2016 Nominee, Bright Idea Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2015 Nominee, Bright Idea Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2014 Nominee, Bright Idea Award. University of the Sciences 
    • 2014 Alpha Eta National Honor Society for Healthcare Professionals. University of the Sciences 
    • 2012 Nominee, Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. University of the Sciences 
    • 2012 Nominee, Faculty Adviser of the Year, University of the Sciences 
    • 2010 Faculty Adviser of the Year, University of the Sciences

  • University Service 

    • 2024–present: Board of Trustees Educational Affairs Committee 
    • 2024-present: Interdisciplinary & Interprofessional Education Faculty and Staff Learning Community (IE FSLC)
    • 2023-present: University Council 
    • 2023-2024: Core Curriculum Task Force 
    • 2022-present: Office of Teaching and Learning Committee 
    • 2022-present: General Education Program Oversight Committee 
    • 2022-present: Physician Assistant Advisory Board Committee 
    • 2021-2022: Search Committee, Associate Provost for Teaching & Learning 
    • 2020-2021: Chair. Physician Assistant Department Chair Recruiting Committee 
    • 2020-2022: Senate Nominating Committee 
    • 2020-2022: Workday Student Team University Chairs Liaison 
    • 2020-2022: Online Teaching Champion 
    • 2018-2022: Sodexo Campus Dining 
    • 2018-2022: Workday Users Group Committee 
    • 2018-2019: Wellness Committee 
    • 2018-2019: IPE Evaluation and Curriculum Committee
    • 2015-2016: Distance Learning Committee 
    • 2015-2017: Faculty Affairs Committee 
    • 2017-2019: Committee on Commencement Awards and Scholarships 
    • 2016-2017: Chair, Program Directors Task Force

    College Service 

    • 2024-present: Chair, School of Health Professions Council 
    • 2023-2024: Secretary, School of Health Professions Council 
    • 2021-2022: Samson College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee 
    • 2020-2022: Chair, Samson College Academic Standards Committee 
    • 2019-2020: Samson College Heart and Mind Health Workshop, City School 
    • 2019-2022: Samson College, Nominations Committee 
    • 2019-2022: Samson College Physician Assistant Graduate Advisory Board 
    • 2017- 2019: Samson College Committee Martin Luther King Day of Service. Cozies 4 Chemo 
    • 2012-2016: Samson College Martin Luther King Day of Service Mount Zion Church Health Fair 
    • 2014-2016: Samson College Physician Assistant Faculty Search Committee 
    • 2014-2015: Samson College Physician Assistant Academic Coordinator Search Committee 
    • 2014-2015: Samson College Physician Assistant Clinical Coordinator Faculty Search Committee 
    • 2012-2013: Chair, Samson College Council 

    Professional Service 

    • 2017-present: Conference Proposal Reviewer: Hawaii University International Conference on STEM/STEAM and Education. 
    • 2021-2022: Associate Editor. Journal of Yoga, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Online. 
    • 2020-2021: Editor, Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine 
    • 2019-2020: Professional Development Committee, American School Health Association 
    • 2018-2019: Reviewer, Journal of Health Promotion 
    • 2014: Conference Proposal Reviewer: National Wellness Institute Annual Conference 
    • 2012-2014: Committee on Wellness Accreditation and Education. National Wellness Institute

  • Invited Media Presentations and Publications 

    • 2019: Ways to work out in stifling summer heat, no gym membership required The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 2019. https://www.inquirer.com/life/hot-weather-workouts-summer-early-morning-gear-hydrate-20190716.html
    • 2018: Downs, G. & Richards, K. SBIRT & Motivational Interviewing. ACME Pharmacists CEU Workshop. Philadelphia, PA. 
    • 2017: Motivational Interviewing. Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment Workshop. Philadelphia, PA. 2015 Making the Connection, Obesity: The Public Health, Health Policy, and Business Sides of the Disease. Moderator. Philadelphia, PA. 
    • 2015: Contributor. Exercising When Sick. SELF magazine. 
    • 2014: Exercise and Under the Weather. Philly.com; Drugs.com; Health News Digest; Clarion Ledger. 
    • 2014: Biomechanically Correct Running Techniques. George Mason University. Fairfax County, VA 
    • 2014: Biomechanically Correct Running Techniques. American Council on Exercise. Orange, CA 
    • 2014: Fit in Fitness with Back to School, 6ABC. 
    • 2014: FYI Philly Spring into Fitness Challenge, 6ABC. 
    • 2014: Exercise and Under the Weather, KYW News radio 1060. 
    • 2014: Contributor. Exercising in the Cold. Better Homes and Gardens. 
    • 2013: Exercise in the Cold, KYW News radio 1060 
    • 2013: Cholesterol Awareness, 98.1 WOGL 2013 Skinny, Fat, Old, Young: All at Risk for High Cholesterol. Health News Digest 
    • 2012: Broad Street Run Training Tips, 6ABC 2010 Heart Health. CBS3, The Channel 10 Show, MedStar TV 2010 Food for Thought. 6ABC 
    • 2010: Myths on Fitness Workouts. KYW news radio 1060 2010 Separating Workout Fact from Fiction. WKOW-TV 
    • 2010: Home Gym for Less. WTVQ-TV, 6ABC, WSOC-TV, WFRV-TV, WXOW-TV, WAOWTV 
    • 2009: Winter Workout Segment. WPVI, 6ABC, KYW, NBC-10

    Invited Guest Lectures 

    • 2021: Reiki as a Complementary Wellness Technique in Occupational Therapy. Doctoral level Occupational Therapy students, University of the Sciences 
    • 2020: Motivational Interviewing. Graduate level Pharmacy and Occupational Therapy students, University of the Sciences 
    • 2020: Surviving the Stress of PA School, graduate level Physician Assistant student, University of the Sciences
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing, Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment of Substance Abuse, (SBIRT). graduate level Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology students, University of the Sciences
    • 2019: Mental Health First Aid, graduate level Physician Assistant students, University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Weis Supermarket Pharmacists. University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Walgreens Pharmacists. University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Psychology Graduate. Students. University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Occupational Therapy Graduate Students. University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Physical Therapy Graduate Students. University of the Sciences 
    • 2019: Motivational Interviewing. Pharmacy Students. University of the Sciences 
    • 2017: Motivational Interviewing. Physician Assistant Graduate Students. University of the Sciences 
    • 2017: ADHD to PhD. Behavioral and Social Sciences. University of the Sciences. 
    • 2016: The role of physical activity in school district wellness policies. Office of Sponsored Projects and Research. University of the Sciences 
    • 2015: Inside out of Emotions in Graduate School. Physician Assistant Graduate Student Orientation. University of the Sciences 
    • 2014: Emotional Freedom Technique. Physician Assistant Graduate Student Orientation. University of the Sciences 
    • 2014: Complementary & Alternative Therapies. Physician Assistant undergraduates. University of the Sciences
    • 2013: Wellness in Medicine. Physician Assistant Graduate Student Orientation University of the Sciences 
    • 2012: Yoga for Stress Relief. Academic Success undergraduates. University of the Sciences. 
    • 2011: Stress Management Techniques. Academic Success undergraduates. University of the Sciences 
    • 2010: Healthy Heart Tips. Fox Rothschild LLP. 
    • 2009: Working on Wellness. Academic Success undergraduates. University of the Sciences 
    • 2008: Wellness & Self-Esteem. Academic Success undergraduates. University of the Sciences.
    • Mindfulness Instructor. Yogarenew. 
    • Positive Psychology Certificate, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Coursera 
    • Certified Holistic Stress Management Instructor, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans 
    • Certified Peer Educator Trainer, National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
    • Certified Chakra Healing Master, Reiki Healing Association
    • YogaFit for Warriors 100-hr, Certified Instructor 
    • Master Reiki Level III Practitioner, Usui Ryoho 
    • Certified Instructor Professional Rescuer, CPR/AED/First Aid, American Red Cross 
    • Personal Trainer, American College of Sports Medicine #617014 
    • Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise, #T118270 
    • Group Fitness Instructor, American Council on Exercise, #F60614 
    • Health Coach, American Council on Exercise, #W54284 
    • Behavior Change, American Council on Exercise, Master Trainer