Internationally recognized scholar Jackie Goodway has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. Since 2022, the distinction has recognized faculty who demonstrate exemplary scholarly achievement, teaching excellence and a clear alignment with MSU’s strategic research priorities — strengthening recruitment, recognition and retention of top academic talent across campus. Goodway, who joined MSU’s Department of Kinesiology in January 2025 as a professor and associate chair, brings a wealth of expertise in motor development, particularly among children in under-resourced communities.
Her work has centered on tackling disparities through innovative interventions, including the Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers (SKIP) program, which she hopes to bring to Lansing and Detroit, Michigan.
“Dr. Goodway is a world leader in the study of motor development, a fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology, author of a leading textbook, and developer of the SKIP motor-skill intervention for schools and childcare centers, which is implemented in several countries around the world,” said Department of Kinesiology Chairperson Panteleimon Ekkekakis. “Importantly, she brings extensive experience working with children in underprivileged communities from Flint to border communities in Texas and Ohio. Her pioneering research and intervention work has shaped the field of kinesiology and improved the lives of countless children.”
Goodway, an alum who earned her Ph.D. in 1994 (Physical Education and Exercise Science), has dedicated her career to studying the relationship between early motor development and health, and more recently cognitive function. She has led groundbreaking research on how children from vulnerable communities experience delays in motor skills that can impact their health, academic and social development.
“It’s an exciting time to be in kinesiology,” said Goodway, who will be honored at MSU’s 2026 Investiture for Endowed Faculty. “There are so many opportunities to support dynamic growth for the field.”
A legacy of impact
Beyond her work with early childhood development, Goodway is collaborating with Professor Karin Pfeiffer and the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports to explore best practices for introducing children to sports. Together, they are developing multi-sport programs that cultivate foundational motor skills essential for future athletic success.
In addition, Goodway is actively involved in MSU’s One Health initiative, where she is working to develop family-based movement programs that promote health equity. These programs aim to engage both parents and children, strengthening familial bonds while encouraging lifelong physical activity.
She serves as president-elect of the International Motor Development Research Consortium and is a widely published scholar. One of her most influential works, a developmental trajectory model published in 2008, has been cited over 3,000 times. Her textbook, “Understanding Motor Development” (Jones Bartlett Learning, 2020), is among the most prominent in the field and is currently being transformed into an interactive digital and virtual reality format to enhance student engagement.
Throughout her career, Goodway has been passionate about mentoring students, an aspect of her work she finds especially rewarding.
“Helping a young person find their passion is amazingly rewarding,” she said. “I love watching them light up and become enthralled in their content area.”
This story originally featured on the College of Education website.