Faculty & Contacts
The Recreation & Wellness Conditioning Center provides Columbus State students, employees, and the Columbus community with a valuable fitness and wellness resource. The RWCC is staffed by exercise physiologists, degreed and certified physical activity consultants and exercise specialists who can provide clients with appropriate counsel on physical activity as well as proper program design and exercise prescription. In addition to physical activity counseling and exercise program design, the RWCC provides a variety of wellness profiles which offer valuable information on individual wellness and fitness levels.
Mandi Cecil
Supervisor: Recreation & Wellness Conditioning Center
M.S., Exercise Science and Health Promotion- California University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Exercise Science- The Ohio State University
B.S., Leadership, Union Institute and University
A.A.S., Sport and Fitness Management- CSCC
Certified Personal Trainer: NASM
Certified Personal Trainer: ACSM
Clinical Exercise Specialist: ACSM
Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist: ACSM
Mandi is a 1997 graduate of the Sport and Fitness Management Program at CSCC and has
always been passionate about educating the community on the importance of living a
healthy lifestyle. This passion has lead to her to her current role as Supervisor
of College Recreation & Wellness and adjunct faculty with the Sport and Exercise Studies
program here at Columbus State.
With more than 17 years of experience in the fitness industry she has held many roles
from personal trainer to facility manager and owning her own in-home personal training
business for several years. Mandi has been able to share her love and value of fitness
with many others in the Central Ohio community in the course of these roles and volunteer
ventures. Through the knowledge gained in her experiences and her drive to educate,
she was lead back to Columbus State where she has created a new career path in her
pursuit to show others the importance of ones health.
Mandi holds a M.S. in Exercise Science with a focus on Fitness and Wellness Promotion
from CalU, a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in Exercise
Science, as well as a Bachelor of Science from the Union Institute and University
in Leadership with a concentration in Sport Management. She holds certifications from
ACSM as a CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), PAPHS (Physical Activity in Public Health
Specialist) as well, she is a certified Johnny G Spinning Instructor. Beyond her service
to CS, she also serves the community as co-chair of the Franklin County Physical Activity
Plan Committee, sits on the Healthy Ohio Business Council and sits on the Kids at
Heart council with the American Heart Association.
Jason Apt
Athletic Conditioning & Recreation Specialist
M.S., Exercise Science and Health Promotion: Sport Psychology- California University
of Pennsylvania
B.S., Leadership concentration: Sport Management- Union Institute & University
A.A.S., Sport and Exercise Studies
USAW- Certified Weightlifting Coach
Certified Personal Trainer: NSCA
Jason has his Master's degree in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania, his Bachelor's degree in Leadership from the Union Institute and an Associate's Degree from CSCC in Sport and Exercise Studies. From his 6 years of experience in the military, he brings an understanding of hard work and goal setting to his training methods. He also is certified in personal trainer through NSCA and is a certified weightlifting coach from the USAW. Jason likes to incorporate martial arts, Kettlebells, and heavy lifting into his training routines. He has also recently become Gracie Survival Tactics Certified which has expanded his knowledge of survival tactics to pass along to students participating in the free Self Defense Class.
Dustin Iacavone
Academic & Fitness Specialist
M.S., Health & Rehabilitation Education- The Ohio State University
B.S., Exercise Science- Capital University
A.A.S., Sport and Exercise Studies – CSCC
USATF- Level I Coach
Certified Personal Trainer- ACSM
Dustin has worked at Columbus State since 2010. He holds multiple degrees focused on exercise science and education. He is a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Dustin oversees the practicum students working in the facility. Additionally, he is an adjunct in the Sport & Exercise Studies Department and the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach. He has coached 5 Academic and 5 Athletic All-Americans. Dustin was a member of the cross country, and track and field teams during his time at Capital University. Upon graduation, Dustin posted the 13th fastest 8K time in school history. Dustin continues to run, but focuses on marathons. He's completed serval including Columbus (2015), New York City (2016), Boston (2017 & 2018), and Chicago (2019). Outside of running and coaching, Dustin enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with his dog, Maple.
Dawn Hockensmith
Health & Wellness Specialist
MBA, Ohio Dominican UniversityB.S., Leadership concentration: Sport Management, Union Institute and University
A.A.S., Sport and Exercise Studies, CSCC
Certified Health Coach, ACE
Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, ACSM
Dawn holds many degrees focusing on exercise science and management. She enjoys incorporating
agility and circuit training into her programming style while focusing on the individual
client's goals. She is an adjunct instructor in the Sport and Exercise Studies program
here at CSCC where she teaches various exercise science related courses, and she is
a member of the Central Region of the Healthy Ohio Business Council. Her knowledge
includes over twelve years of experience with general health and fitness programming
within the Columbus State community and the Central Ohio community.
In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and various types of outdoor sports.
Dawn has run several half marathons and several 5k races and enjoys balancing her
endurance training with weight training to reach her goals. She also enjoys spending
time with her husband and daughter on their farm in Marysville, Ohio.
Danielle Smith
Recreation & Fitness Specialist
B.S., Business Management concentration: Sport Management
A.A.S., Sport & Exercise Studies CSCC
A.A., Boyce College
Certified Personal Trainer: ACSM
PPCES- Pre and Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist-Fit for Birth
Danielle began in the Health and Fitness industry in 2010 at the New Albany Country
Club where she held multiple positions while completing her degree in Exercise Science
at Columbus State. After earning her degree, she began working for Columbus State,
has since completed her bachelor's degree, and now holds multiple certifications.
She has a passion for helping clients reach their health and fitness goals and seeing
them embrace the transformational effect of exercise on the body and mind. Since becoming
a first time mother, she has developed a passion for working with pre and postnatal
clients and has earned a specialized certification to become more knowledgeable and
qualified to work with this special population.
Grace Howard
Fitness and Wellness Specialist
B.A., Exercise Science, Capital University
A.A.S., Sport and Exercise Studies, CSCC
Precision Nutrtion, Level 1 Coach
Grace initially explored various career paths, from Dental Hygiene to Radiology. After losing over 50 pounds and battling with exercise-induced asthma, she chose to change her major to the Sport & Exercise Studies here at Columbus State Community College. While a student at Columbus State, Grace was awarded the Exercise Science Student of the Year recognition in 2014. Her knowledge includes over 5 years of experience in the health and wellness field including but not limited to personal training, group exercise, wellness coaching, and diabetes prevention and control. Grace has a passion for helping others discover their individual path to achieving fitness goals and improving their overall health and wellness. In her free time, Grace enjoys cooking, reading, weightlifting, cycling, and various outdoor sports. Grace holds a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Capital University and an Associate's degree in Sport & Exercise Studies from Columbus State Community College. She is also a ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and holds a Level 1 Nutrition Coach certification through Precision Nutrition.