Barbara Michiels Hernandez, a professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Lamar University, has been tapped for a 2017 Texas Honor Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD).

The award, which recognizes outstanding Texas educational professionals in the fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance, is given annually. It was presented to Hernandez at the association’s 94th Annual Convention, December 1 in Fort Worth.

Candidates for the award are selected based on their significant contributions to health education through excellence in teaching, outstanding administrative achievement, significant contributions to research, professional literature and creative endeavors. Other criteria include strong leadership in professional organizations at state, district, and national levels to include TAHPERD, as well as outstanding community service. 

Hernandez has 30 years in higher education and 20 years as a TAHPERD member. She received her Ph.D. in health education and technology from Texas Woman's University and her M. Ed. and B.A. from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in elementary education, health, and physical education with dance specialization.

She was inducted as a National Research Fellow of the Research Consortium in 2009. She was a public school teacher, dancer, artistic director, and NDA executive director. She has authored, edited, and published books, book chapters, and numerous peer reviewed journal articles. She received national and regional grants for research/professional development, and has made professional conference presentations at the international, national, and state levels. She has served as a reviewer for professional health journals, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of CNHEO.

A Master Certified Health Education Specialist and a Certified Teacher and Dance Educator, she is the advisor/founder for Eta Sigma Gamma Health Honorary chapter at Lamar University. Her service experiences were at SHAPE America (Research Consortium, AAHE & NDA), SOPHE, SDAAHPERD, TAHPERD, and T-SOPHE.