Eastern Washington University President Shari McMahan has turned wellness into a campuswide priority, leveraging her 25‑year background as a step aerobics instructor to promote health among students and staff.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic she began offering free fitness classes that quickly became a staple of the university's broader wellness strategy, which also includes resources such as a campus food pantry and dedicated health programs.
A Unique Bonding Experience
The initiative recently expanded when McMahan led a step aerobics session specifically for the football team. A coach who had attended one of her earlier classes suggested the idea, and the players were split into offensive and defensive groups for two separate workouts.
McMahan was struck by the athletes' coordination and conditioning, and senior linebacker Myles Mayovsky found the workout more demanding than expected. He subsequently nominated teammates Nate Bell and Samarai Anderson as the session's standout participants.
The drill not only improved physical fitness but also strengthened camaraderie within the squad. Coaching staff received praise for modeling a positive, health‑focused attitude, and Will Hall, a senior web developer who follows the program, highlighted the value of the president's hands‑on involvement.
McMahan's participation underscores a broader cultural shift at Eastern Washington University, where leadership actively engages in wellness activities to set an example for the entire campus community.