Dr. Jesse Mala

Assistant Professor
Mayborn College of Health Sciences

jmala@umhb.edu
Mayborn 2255
UMHB Box 8010
(254) 295-4280
Curriculum Vitae (Résumé)

Dr. Mala was born, raised, and educated in the state of Connecticut, where he received his Bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and his Master's and Ph.D at the University of Connecticut (UConn). He was an Assistant Professor at UConn from 2019-2021, in the Department of Educational Leadership, where he taught in the Sport Management program. Prior to his collegiate studies, Dr. Mala served in the U.S. Army with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a weapons squad team leader. He served from 2001-2004, and has been deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq. His military experience in combat zones were milestones in his Christian life, that became the impetus for him to pursue Jesus Christ, and to know Him more.

Dr. Mala also attended a Bible college in southern California after his undergraduate degree, where he served the Lord full-time with a campus ministry at Chapman University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and at the University of Connecticut. He also met his wife at the Bible college, and they now have three happy children.

Subjects Taught
Sport Management
Degrees Earned
Ph.D. Sport Management, M.S. Exercise Science, B.S. Physical Education
Research Interests

Dr. Mala's research interests stem from his experience as a child who grew up in the constraints of poverty. He seeks to develop and examine sport-based youth development programs, and their role in fostering life skills, leadership skills, and their impact on academic, and cognitive outcomes.

Refereed Publications

[9] Mala, J., Corral, M.D., McGarry, J.E., Macaulay, C.D., Arinze, N.A., Ebron, K. (2020). Positive impacts of a sport intervention on male students of color and school climate. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1-17.

[8] Mala, J., McGarry, J., Riley, K., Lee, E., Distefano, L. (2020). The relationship between physical activity and executive functions among youth in low-income urban schools in the northeast and southwest united states. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 42(4), 292-306

[7] McGarry, J., Mala, J., Corral, M. (2018). Program development within authentic partnerships. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 1(2)

[6] Fuller R. D., Evanovich J., M., Bruening J., E., Peachey J.,W., Coble C., Percy V., Mala, J., Corral, M. (2015). The impact of a sport-based service-learning course on participants’ attitudes, intentions and actions toward social change. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 8(1), 14-36.

[5] Mala J., Szivak T., K., Kraemer W., J. (2015). Improving performance of Heavy Load Carriage During High-Intensity Combat-Related Tasks. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 37(4), 43-52.

[4] Szivak T., K, Mala J, Kraemer W., J. (2015). Physical performance and integration strategies for women in combat arms. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 37(4), 20-29.

[3] Mala J., Szivak T. K, Flanagan S. D, Comstock, B. A, Laferrier J. Z, Maresh C. M., Kraemer W. J. (2015). The role of strength and power during performance of high intensity military tasks under heavy load carriage. US Army Med Dep J 2015, 3-11.

[2] Flanagan S., D, Comstock B., A, Dupont W., H, Sterczala A., J, Looney D., P, Dombrowski D., H, McDermott D., M, Bryce A, Maladouangdock J., Dunn-Lewis, C, Luk H., Y, Szivak T., K., Hooper D., R., Kraemer W., J. (2014). Concurrent Validity of the Armour39 Heart Rate Monitor Strap. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(3), 870-873

[1] Ho, J., Y., Kraemer W., J, Volek J., S, Vingren J., L., Fragala M., S., Flanagan S., D., Maladouangdock J., Szivak T., K, Hatfield D., L., Comstock B., A., Dunn-Lewis, C., Ciccolo, J., T., Maresh, C., M.(2014). Effects of Resistance Exercise on The HPA Axis Response to Psychological Stress During Short-Term Smoking Abstinence in Men. Addictive Behaviors, 39(3), 695-698.

Refereed Conference Presentations and Abstracts

[17] Mala, J., DeRosa, D., McGarry, J., Tyer, G. Virtual Programmatic Strategies to Foster a Sense of Community Among Online Learners. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), May 2021 (Virtual)

[16] Mala, J. The relationship between health-related quality of life and physical activity among youth in urban poverty. Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM). San Francisco, California, April 2020 (Virtual).

[15] Mala, J. The relationship between physical activity and stress regulation among youth in poverty. North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS). Vancouver, Canada. November 2018.

[14] Mala, J. The relationship between physical activity and executive functions among youth in poverty. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Halifax, Nova Scotia. June 2018.

[13] Arinze, N., Mala, J., Ebron, K. The Sport Commitment Model and Sport-Based Youth Development Programs: Are They a Match? Halifax, Nova Scotia. June 2018.

[12] Mala. J. Can sport and physical activity participation mitigate the negative effects of poverty on stress regulation and brain function? University of Connecticut Collaboratory on School and Child Health Encore Conference (CSCH). Hartford, CT. September 2017.

[11] Mala, J. Can sport and physical activity participation mitigate the negative effects of poverty on stress regulation and brain function? North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Denver, CO. June 2017.

[10] Mala, J., McCauley C. The impact of a sport-based program in developing authentic leadership among adolescents. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Denver, CO. June 2017.

[9] Mala, J., Corral, M., McGarry, J. The impact of a sport-based authentic leadership program on student perceptions of school climate. American Educational Research Association. San Antonio, TX. April 2017.

[8] Mala, J., Corral, M. Outcomes of an In-School Sport-Based Youth Development Intervention on the Development of Grit and Leadership Skills. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Orlando, FL. June 2016.

[7] Mala, J., Corral, M., McGarry, J. Elements of an Authentic Partnership During New Program Development in a High Need School. Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH). New Orleans, LA. May 2016.

[6] Corral, M., Mala, J. The Impact of a Sport-Based Authentic Adolescent Leadership Program on School Climate. National Youth-At-Risk Conference (NYAR). Savannah, GA. March 2016.

[5] Mala, J, Szivak TK, Kraemer WJ. The role of upper and lower body strength and lower body power during the performance of high intensity military tasks under heavy load carriage. 3rd International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Boston, MA, August 2014

[4] Mala J, Szivak TK, Kraemer WJ. The effects of heavy load carriage during performance of high intensity military tasks. 3rd International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Boston, MA, August 2014

[3] Comstock BA, Dunn-Lewis C, Hooper DR, Szivak TK, Flanagan SD, Looney DP, Maladouangdock J, DuPont WH, McDermott DM, Luk HY, Staron RS, and Kraemer WJ. Effects of Resistance Exercise on a Novel Growth Hormone Assay Signal in Men. National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Conference, Las Vegas, NV, July 2013.

[2] Dunn-Lewis C, Comstock BA, Hooper DR, Szivak TK, Flanagan SD, Looney DP, Sterczala AJ, Webster ET, Bryce AR, Maladouangdock J, Giacchino CE, McDermott DM, and Kraemer WJ. The Effects of Endurance Exercise Training on Plasma Concentrations of Proenkaphalin Peptide F and Epinephrine. National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Conference, Las Vegas, NV. July 2013.

[1] Szivak TK, Nindl BC, Maladouangdock J, Dunn-Lewis C, Comstock BA, Hooper DR, Flanagan SD, Looney DP, DuPont WH, Dombrowski DH and Kraemer WJ. Prediction of Military Relevant Occupational Tasks in Women From Physical Performance Components. National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Conference, Las Vegas, NV. July 2013.