Meet Our Faculty
Experienced, Skilled, and Supportive Instruction
Exercise Science faculty at COCC are leaders in their field who provide students with industry insights, hands-on learning opportunities, and knowledgeable advising.
Full-time, tenure-track faculty members/advisers are featured below. Most COCC academic programs include a roster of adjunct and part-time instructors who add diverse expertise and personal experience to the learning environment.
View the Health and Human Performance directory for a full listing of faculty and staff.
Faculty Profiles
Jenny Cruickshank
Professor of Health and Human Performance
Email: jcruickshank@cocc.edu
Jenny — whose scope of work includes classroom instruction in Sports Psychology, Wellness Coaching and Exercise Science, and the very popular Total Fitness and Staff Wellness programs — is a former rugby player at Colorado State University (where she earned her bachelor's degree in exercise physiology) and an ultra-marathon runner.
Jenny joined COCC in 2004, and in the years since she has brought a personal mix of positivity and fun energy to her classes. In fact, Jenny was recently selected as COCC's Faculty Achievement Award recipient. It's an honor that recognizes the full-time faculty member who best embodies the highest standards of COCC, where student learning is the mission.
Her classes don't shy from demanding every effort; Jenny's sprint sessions up College Way are the same. But her teaching is always delivered with passion and guidance, with a focus on self-acceptance. Along the way, Jenny has pushed herself, too — completing her master's degree in sport psychology and becoming a Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
Allison Slade
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance
Email: aslade@cocc.edu
Dr. Allison Slade is a distinguished Exercise and Health Science Educator whose 25-year career is built on a foundation of elite athletics and a deep passion for human performance. A former Division I basketball player, competitive off-road triathlete, and mountain bike racer, she brings a unique, real-world perspective to her teaching.
Her multifaceted career encompasses roles as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, and owner of a health and wellness business. For over two decades, she has been a dedicated educator at institutions such as UC Santa Barbara and throughout the California Community College system, drawing on her background as a former high school and college coach to inform her work.
Dr. Slade holds a Doctorate in Health Science, an M.S. in Exercise Science, a B.S. in Kinesiology & Nutrition, and is a Mayo Clinic-trained health coach. Her teaching focuses on optimizing performance by examining the critical link between mental well-being and physical health. Grounded in positive psychology, she equips students with powerful strategies to manage stress, prevent disease, and thrive in all aspects of life, from daily activities to elite competition.