Health and Exercise Science alumnae Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24, ’26MPH and Caroline Aspinwall ’24 presented their respective research at the New England chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) conference in October 2024. We spoke with them about their interdisciplinary approach to exercise, their unique career trajectories, and the deep friendship they developed at Simmons.
“The American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM] carries so much weight in the exercise science world . . . As someone with only a bachelor’s degree, standing up there was validating and showed that undergraduates can make meaningful contributions,” says Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24, ’26MPH, who presented research at the ACSM’s New England chapter conference in October 2024. Currently, St.Hilaire serves as Legislative Director for Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley (12th Suffolk district) while pursuing a Master of Public Health degree (with a concentration in health equity) from Simmons.
Exercise science alumna Caroline Aspinwall ’24 presented at the same conference, which she described as “a turning point” in her intellectual maturation. “I vividly remember the moment when I realized how much I had learned . . . I had grown professionally and started to build a meaningful network. [Delivering a conference presentation] was more than just an honor — it felt like a culmination of all the hard work, dedication, and passion I’ve invested in building a career in a field with which I’ve truly fallen in love.” Since graduation, Aspinwall has served as Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Boston Medical Center.
“As a proud faculty member at Simmons and a member-at-large for the NEACSM, I am incredibly proud of Caroline and Haleigh for their remarkable contributions to this year's annual Fall conference,” says Assistant Professor of Practice Tim Hanway.
“They were the only two undergraduate alumnae/i featured in the entire conference lineup, a true testament to their dedication and hard work,” he says. “Their accomplishments inspire confidence and pave the way for future outstanding young women researchers in health and exercise science.”
Integrating Physical Activity and Policymaking
The 2024 conference theme, “Building Bridges: Spanning the Gap Between Professional Silos,” focused on interdisciplinary approaches to sports medicine and exercise science.
According to Dr. James Whitworth, President of the NEACSM, this gathering aimed to “bring together students, researchers, healthcare providers, and educators from diverse professional backgrounds working to further sport and exercise science. . . . [to offer] a rich platform for education, networking, and community building.”
The theme resonates with St.Hilaire’s novel approach. During her senior year, she gravitated toward issues of public health and government, though it was at first unclear how these subjects would meld with her principal specialization in exercise science.
“[This year’s conference] really crystallized the path I’ve taken. Working on a project that ties together the fields I’m passionate about — exercise science, public health, and policy — was a full-circle moment,” she says.
St.Hilaire’s conference paper, “Physical Activity from the Ground Up: Policy Consequences and Their Public Health Implications,” explored the long-term health benefits of physical activity during childhood. Specifically, she addressed Bill S.350 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which proposes that “All children in grades kindergarten through five attending public schools shall receive one hundred minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free-play recess each week.”
As St.Hilaire explains, “the main idea [of my presentation] is that children who are active early on are more likely to maintain an active lifestyle as adults, reducing their risk of chronic health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes.”
Her findings indicate that socioeconomic inequity and inadequate policies erect barriers for children, which may negatively impact their wellbeing. In sum, “this study aims to show how improving physical activity policies can lead to better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs in the long run,” she says.
St.Hilaire’s NEACSM presentation expanded upon earlier research she conducted for her Simmons senior capstone project. She credits Hanway and Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health and Exercise Science Program Michael Welch for their guidance and mentorship: “They have been incredibly supportive throughout this entire process, offering invaluable guidance and encouragement every step of the way,” she says.
“Haleigh's passion for advocating for the needs of others is exemplified in the capstone work presented at the NEACSM conference,” Welch says. “This body of work is a testament to her academic abilities, and also an example of commitment, professionalism, and leadership.”
Moreover, St.Hilaire’s recent work experience in government has rendered her approach to exercise science more comprehensive. “My work in the policy world has given me a much more practical, real-world understanding of how the government operates. This hands-on experience has allowed me to see how policy decisions are made and how they can shape public health initiatives, especially in the realm of exercise science,” she explains.
Rite of Inclusion: Adaptive Gymnastics
Aspinwall’s conference presentation, “Flip, Twist, Fly into the World of Adaptive Gymnastics,” drew from her work at Franciscan Children’s (a hospital for children with special needs in Brighton, MA), where she serves as Lead Instructor and Program Developer for the Adaptive Gymnastics program. Conceived for children with physical and cognitive disabilities, adaptive gymnastics, according to Aspinwall, “is designed to help participants develop gymnastics skills while improving gross and fine motor skills, communication skills, and boosting self-confidence.”
As someone who trained in gymnastics for over a decade, Aspinwall’s passion for the sport “runs deep,” and she continues to coach young gymnasts on the side. “The inspiration for starting an adaptive gymnastics program came from my desire to continue to provide access to sports and movement,” she says.
At NEACSM, Aspinwall discussed some signature elements of her adaptive gymnastics program, including functional movement screens and posture-based assessments that help adaptive athletes. “This approach emphasizes systematic assessment to identify movement patterns and strengths while facilitating skill ownership and mastery,” she explains.
Like St.Hilaire, Aspinwall embraces a cross-disciplinary and holistic approach to exercise science. “In my experience running an adaptive gymnastics program, I’ve seen how bringing together diverse disciplines — such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, psychology, and education — can create more inclusive and effective programs for individuals with disabilities.”
While Aspinwall’s interest in adaptive gymnastics preceded her time at Simmons, the University’s Exercise Science undergraduate coursework enriched her research. “I drew heavily on concepts I learned through Simmons’ exercise science program to make my work successful. Simmons faculty, especially Professors Hanway and Welch, were nothing but supportive of my endeavors,” she says.
For Welch, “Caroline's dedication towards the healthcare field is a cornerstone of her professional pursuits and academic interests.” He recognizes Aspinwall’s contribution to the field as impressive and important.
Finding Meaning at Simmons, Professionally and Personally
Simmons imparted unique learning opportunities and solid career preparation for both researchers.
“Through engaging coursework, hands-on projects, and collaborative lab experiences, I deepened my understanding of key concepts and strengthened my practical knowledge. This comprehensive education has not only enhanced my expertise but also prepared me to apply and expand on these skills in my current work,” says Aspinwall.
St.Hilaire found Simmons’ interdisciplinary pedagogy especially gratifying, as it enabled her to explore the depth and breadth of her passions.
“Through my coursework in exercise science, I gained a strong foundation in the field, but it was the chance to branch out into public health and policy that truly set me on the path I’m on today,” she says.
Beyond academics, the researchers discovered personal fulfillment at Simmons. A transfer student, Aspinwall met St.Hilaire in the middle of her undergraduate experience.
“Haleigh’s bubbly personality and infectious passion for exercise science made me feel at ease, and soon we were having long, meaningful conversations all over campus,” Aspinwall recalls. “We clicked instantly, and before long, we had become best friends, supporting each other through both academic and personal goals.”
St.Hilaire is also elated. “Starting college, you always hope for the chance to make lifelong friendships, but not everyone gets as lucky as I did,” she adds. “Caroline became not just a friend, but someone who has truly shaped my experience and will remain a part of my life for years to come . . . It was especially meaningful to present [at the NEACSM conference], as it felt like the culmination of our hard work and collaboration throughout our time at Simmons.”
The two “Simmons sisters” will enshrine their friendship further at Aspinwall’s August 2025 wedding, at which St.Hilaire will serve as a bridesmaid.
Equitable Aspirations in Health Sciences
Both Aspinwall and St.Hilaire are committed to the transformative power of physical activity.
“Exercise is medicine,” says Aspinwall, reiterating a key premise of the ACSM.
Their holistic approach to medicinal exercise is intimately tied to equity. Aspinwall, for instance, dedicates her life’s work to “breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to experience the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of movement.”
As words of advice to Simmons students, St.Hilaire encourages undergraduates to get involved in the research process.
“I hope [our work] inspires other bachelor’s students to see their potential and strive for opportunities that may feel out of reach. With hard work and the courage to push past perceived limits, undergraduates can be part of important conversations in their field,” she says.