Shandra Esparza

• Ed.D., Walden University, Administrative Leadership
• MAA, University of the Incarnate Word, Healthcare Administration
• M.Ed., Texas State University, Exercise Science
• B.E.S.S., Texas State University, Athletic Training 

• Began teaching at UIW in 2006 in the Athletic Training Education Program and served as Clinical Coordinator. Became Program Director in 2013. Became Division Chair of Human Performance in 2017. Became Associate Dean in 2022.
• Taught full-time at Texas Lutheran University and Southwestern University in their athletic training education programs.
• Taught part-time at Texas State University in their Department of Exercise and Sports Science.

• Medical Terminology
• Pharmacology
• Pathology
• Therapeutic Rehabilitation
• Therapeutic Modalities
• Administration
• Student Success
• Leadership

• Cultural Diversity 
• Interprofessional Education
• Curricular Innovation
• Action Research
• Community-based participation
• Student Success

• National Athletic Trainers Association
• Texas State Athletic Trainer Association
• Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions
• Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)

Awards:

• 2017: Awarded Tenture, University of the Incarnate Word

Honor:

• 2018: United States Air Force War College participant, USAF
• 2007: Athletic Training Education Program  Robert "Bobby" Patton Leadership & Guidance in Athletic Training Education Award, University of the Incarnate Word
• 2003: Athletic Training Alumni of the Year Award, Texas State University
• 2002: Southwest Athletic Trainers Association, James Dodson "New Horizon Award" for outstanding service to the profession in the first five years of practice

Refereed Articles

• Esparza, S. D. (2020). Outcomes of Embedded Athletic Training Services Within United States Air Force Basic Military Training. Journal of Athletic Training.

• Denton, J., Esparza, S. D., Fike, D., & Gonzales, J. (2018). Improvements in Cultural Competence in Athletic Training and Rehabilitative Science Students through Classroom Activities. Journal of Cultural Diversity.

• Denton, J. M., Esparza, S. D., Fike, D. S., and Gonzalez, J. (2016). Improvements in Cultural Competency through Classroom and Local Cross-Cultural Service-Learning Activities. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 30 (2),6-13.
• Fike, D., Denton, J., Esparza, S. D., and Palombaro, K. (2016). Calculation of Minimal Detectable Change of Construct Sub-scales of a Cultural Competence Instrument. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 30 (1), 25-20.
• Breitbach, A., Richardson, R., Berry, D., Eberman, L., and Esparza, S. D. (2015). Interprofessional Education in Athletic Training. Journal of Athletic Training Education.

Presentations of Refereed Papers:

International

• Esparza, S. D. & Martinez-Delgado, L. (2021). Rewriting the Script with LGBTQ+ Community Members and Pre-Professional Healthcare Students for More Equitable Healthcare. International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Online, United States of America.

• Fisher, R. A. & Esparza, S. D. (2019). Athletic Trainer Integration In U.S. Air Force Basic Training. Military Health System Research Symposium, Kissimmee, Florida.

• McNeil, J., Parker, R. A., Esparza, S. D., & Altimaro, J. A. (2012, June). The process of systematic clinical review of simulation scenarios. International Nursing Simulation/Learning Resource Center Conference, San Antonio, Texas.

National

• Esparza, S. D. (2022, July). Rewriting the Script for Equitable Healthcare Engagement. 4th Annual Heartland Interprofessional Education (HIPE) Conference, Omaha, Nebraska.

• Esparza, S. D. & Trout, I. Y. (2021). REWRITING THE SCRIPT: A PRE-HEALTH EDUCATION APPROACH FOR LEARNING WITH & BESIDE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, Washington, District of Columbia.

• Esparza, S. D., Soles, E. J., & Fisher, R. A. (2019). Systematic Approach to Preparing Today's Millennials for High Stakes Evaluation. Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, Charleston, South Carolina.

• Esparza, S. D. & Fisher, R. A. (2018). Athletic Trainer Integration in US Air Force Basic Training. Southwest Athletic Trainers Association (SWATA), Arlington, Texas.

• Fisher, R. A., Esparza, S. D., Webber, B., Pawlak, M., & Nye, N. (2017, June). Athletic Trainer Integration in U.S. Air Force Basic Training. National Athletic Trainers Association, Houston, Texas.

• Esparza, S. D. and Fisher, R. A. (2017, February). Utilization of Collaborative Partnerships to Increase Empathy and Cultural Diversity in Athletic Training Students. NATA Educators' Conference, Grapevine, Texas.
• Webber, B., Esparza, S. D., Fisher, R. A., Pawlak, M., and Nye, N. (2016, August). Athletic Trainer Integration in U.S. Air Force Basic Training. Military Health System Research Symposium, Orlando, Florida.
• Denton, J. M. and Esparza, S. D. (2015, June). Improvements in Cultural Knowledge and Skills in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Through Classroom Activities. Summer Institute: Engaging Patients and Professionals to Advance Clinical Excellence, San Antonio, Texas.
• Esparza, S. D. (2013, June). IPE: Research, Challenges, and Future. NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) Annual Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada.

State

• Carleton, B., Barton-Weston, H., Griffiths, R., and Esparza, S. D. (2016). Health, Athletic Training, and Kinesiology Team Work in Higher Education. Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Annual Conference, Galveston, Texas.

Local

• Denton, J. M., Esparza, S. D., & Fike, D. S. (2015, March). Improvements in Cultural Knowledge and Skills in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Through Classroom Activities. Eighth Annual Research Week, San Antonio, Texas.

• Esparza, S. D., Denton, J. M., & Fike, D. S. (2015, February). Improvements in Cultural Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills in Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Science Students Through Lecture-Based Classroom Activities. Eighth Annual Research Week, San Antonio, Texas.

• Fike, D. S., Denton, J. M., & Esparza, S. D. (2015, February). Calculation of Minimal Detectable Change of Individual Constructs of a Cultural Competence Measurement Instrument. Eighth Annual Research Week, San Antonio, Texas.

• Esparza, S. D. (2013, February). Predictors of Success on Professional Credentialing Examinations for Athletic Training Undergraduates. Sixth Annual Research Week, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.

• Licensed Athletic Trainer, State of Texas
• Certified Athletic Trainer, Board of Certification