Gwendolyn Francavillo

Gwendolyn Roberts Francavillo has been in health field for the past 14 years. She began as an aerobics instructor in 1993, making her first steps out of plywood! She was a Peer Health Educator in college about that time, teaching college students at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) about different health issues. Over the next few years, Gwendolyn became certified in Kickboxing and received her Personal Trainer certification through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). After graduation, she worked as an Assistant Health Educator at UMBC in Student Health Services. In 1998, Gwendolyn began her Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the George Washington University. During her studies, she worked as the Health Educator Assistant for the Peer Health Education Program at GW, and also as an Adjunct Instructor for the Exercise Science department, teaching classes such as Personal Health and Wellness, Human Sexuality, Women’s Health, Stress Management, Aerobics Instructor Training, and Aerobics. About the time of her graduation in 2000, Gwendolyn became the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports and Fitness Services at GW; her role was to direct the Wellness and Fitness programs, and she also continued with her Adjunct faculty position. At this time, Gwendolyn became a nationally recognized Certified Health Education Specialist. Also about this time, she became certified in yoga, and she continued to teach aerobics and train individuals in addition to other full-time positions. During 2001, she began working with AFAA as an Examiner for certifications. For a short period of time in 2002, she managed the FDIC fitness facility with Corporate Fitness Works. Later in 2002, Gwendolyn received the position of Coordinator of Health and Wellness Programs at Gallaudet University; her role is to direct the Peer Health Advocate Program. In 2003, she began additional education at the University of Maryland College Park to pursue her Ph.D. in Public and Community Health, and is finishing up her dissertation at this time. Currently, Gwendolyn continues to work at Gallaudet University as the HWP Coordinator and Adjunct faculty within the Physical Education and Psychology departments, and she also teaches aerobics and yoga in various locations throughout Washington, DC.