Dr. Baur is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Performance and Wellness. His primary research interests are military/human performance and ergogenic aids. Specifically, Dr. Baur investigates the physiological impact of heavy load carriage in different environments including simulated high altitude.

His teaching responsibilities include Exercise Physiology, The Physiology of Military and Endurance Performance, Boxing Fitness, and Principles of Physical Conditioning.

Dr. Baur is a Lexington, Virginia native. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008, his Master’s degree from James Madison University in 2013, and his Doctorate from Florida State University in 2017.

Dr. Baur is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Performance and Wellness. Her primary interests involve supporting the health and fitness of the Corps over the short- and long-term – through teaching foundational concepts in training, research that investigates exercise behaviors and perceptions in military environments, and by mentoring cadets in their individual training endeavors. She also currently serves as the Director of Physical Training for the Summer Transition Program.

Her teaching responsibilities include Principles of Physical Conditioning (HPW 205), Speedwork for Running (HPW 326), Passive Stretching and Yoga (HPW 327), and Cardiovascular Training Applications (HPW 413).

Dr. Baur is originally from the Philadelphia area. She received her Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in 2013, her Master’s degree from Florida State University in 2015, and her Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2024.

Dr. Bechtel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lebanon Valley College, a Master’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus on Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention from California University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest University), and a Doctorate in Psychology with a specialization in Sports and Performance from the University of Arizona.

With a deep passion for fitness and athletics, Dr. Bechtel is a former collegiate field hockey player and a PA Golden Gloves champion, as well as a professional boxer from 2000 to 2004. She has competed in the figure division as a professional fitness competitor. Her work with the military includes overseeing the High Intensity Tactical Training program for the Marines and developing fitness programs for military contractors such as Triple Canopy. Dr. Bechtel also contributed to the rollout of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) for TRADOC at Ft. Eustis.

In her leisure time, Dr. Bechtel enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her gigantic dog, Kosi.

Captain Dryden received her degrees from Auburn University and master’s from Virginia Tech. Captain Dryden’s teaching responsibilities are Swimming, Wellness Concepts and Drug and Alcohol Awareness. Captain Dryden has returned to VMI after living in South Korea for the past 9 years.

Jack B. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D., is a Professor within the Department of Human Performance and Wellness at the Virginia Military Institute. He has been teaching and coaching at the Virginia Military Institute since 2006. Prior to arriving at VMI, Dr. Johnson was a strength and conditioning coach at Radford University (1995-1998) and Virginia Tech (1998-2006).

He received his bachelor’s degree from Emory and Henry College in 1995. He received his Master’s degree from Radford University in 1998 and his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 2001.

He lives in Lexington, Virginia with his wife Anne and they have two children – Jack and Emma.

Instructor
Physical Education

Capt. Joyce has been teaching at VMI since 2002. He is also the assistant director of Rat Challenge and is primarily in charge of overseeing the onsite activities, with oversight of the Low Initiatives.   Additionally, he is the director or Teacher Education at VMI. 

Capt. Joyce’s teaching responsibilities include: boxing, swimming, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, basketball, combatives, Principles of Conditioning, racquetball and CPR. 

Capt. Joyce’s area of focus is on the benefits of outdoor adventure programs such as Rat Challenge as they pertain to first-year cadets. He also has an interest in exercise intervention in chronic disease. 

Capt. Joyce received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in 1988. He received his Master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University in 1998. He is currently finishing up his Ed. D. at the University of Virginia in higher education administration. He lives in Lexington with his wife Leslie and their three children - Mitch, Bryan, and Elsa.

Office Hours:  Capt. Joyce is available throughout the day or by appointment. Please contact him at:joyceca@vmi.edu or by phone (540) 464-7558.

Professor
Human Performance and Wellness

Dissertation: An analysis of football player position group, height, weight, and relative body weight and their relationship to scores on the Functional Movement Screen™
Masters Project: The Effects of Two Strength Training Methods on Skinfold Measurements, Strength Gains and Flexibility in College Age Female Athletes
Double minor in Athletic Training and Psychology

A.A.S. Physical Therapist Assistant, Orange County Community College, Middletown, NY

Academic/Research Interest:

• Health and Fitness for Older Adults and Special Populations
• Movement Analyses/Biomechanics
• Exercise Adherence

Instructor
Human Performance and Wellness

B.S., University of Rhode Island

M.S., Eastern Kentucky University

Research interests: Developing strategies and enhancing behaviors that lead to improved health and dietary outcomes in college students

Courses taught: Wellness Concepts (HPW 105), Basic Swimming Survival (HPW 201), Nutrition & Cardiovascular Health (HPW 306), Swim Fitness (HPW 311), Global Food and Nutrition (HPW 313), Advanced Swimming & Survival (HPW 403), Nutrition (HPW 433), Snorkeling (Study Abroad; HPW 470)

Instructor
Human Performance and Wellness