Dr. Julie Perrelli joined WestConn in 2017 as a faculty member in the health promotion and exercise science department and transitioned into the role of dean of student affairs in 2023. As a professor, Dr. Perrelli taught courses including Principles of Wellness, Personal Training, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Kinesiology, Introduction to Exercise Science, and Fitness For Life. She also served as the advisor for the HPX Club and the first-year experience program coordinator.
Serving as the University’s faculty athletics representative, Dr. Perrelli role focuses on bridging academics and athletics with a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience as it pertains to well-being, academic integrity, compliance, and student-athlete success. Continuing the Athletics Ambassador program that was started by her predecessor, this program has maintained strong participation across the university that connects faculty and staff to a sports team as a means for all areas of the university to support our student-athletes. Dr. Perrelli is a true advocate for the holistic development of our student-athletes and is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where student-athletes can excel academically and athletically. Having been an NCAA Division I and Division III student-athlete, NCAA Division II and Division III head coach, as well as a faculty member for both undergraduate and graduate programs, Dr. Perrelli brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that informs her work as FAR.
Prior to her arrival at Western Connecticut State University, Dr. Perrelli was an assistant professor of physical education/health education and head softball coach at Springfield College from 2009 to 2016. Dr. Perrelli taught courses at the graduate level including Independent Study Research Design, Legal Issues in Physical Education and Athletics, Advanced Coaching Methods, Athletic Administration, as well as serving as a Doctoral Qualifying Examination evaluator. She also served as thesis and dissertation chair and committee member for graduate student research in areas of sport psychology, coaching pedagogy and leadership, physical activity, physical education pedagogy, exercise science, and health promotion studies. Dr. Perrelli taught undergraduate courses in wellness, athletic administration, and coaching practicum supervision.
In the dual role of teacher/coach, Dr. Perrelli served as the Diane L. Potter ‘57 Head Softball Coach at Springfield College guiding her teams to seven consecutive conference tournament appearances, claiming the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Conference Championship in 2013 and the NEWMAC Coach of the Year award in 2012. Her teams repeatedly participated in community service and campus initiatives. In 2012, her team compiled a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.57, tied for third place in the country for highest g.p.a. among all of Division III softball programs.
Dr. Perrelli completed her master of science degree in physical education with a concentration in athletics administration and her doctorate in physical education with a specialization in teaching and administration from Springfield College. Her master’s thesis examined Factors Involved with why Student-Athletes Withdraw from Collegiate Athletics. Her dissertation examined Satisfaction with Coaching Leadership as a Predictor of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy.
