Curriculum Vitae
Tonya Butler-Collins
4465 Plum Frost Ct.
Oakwood, GA 30566
(404) 316-7225
Tonya.butler-collins@ung.edu
Education
MS. Ed., Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Georgia, May 2006
Concentration: Community Wellness, Corporate Recreation
BS. Ed., Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Georgia, May 2001
Concentration: Exercise Programming and Outdoor Recreation
A.A., Cochise College, Sierra Vista, AZ, May 1994
Concentration: Liberal Arts
Georgia Massage Institute, December 2011
Concentration: Medical Massage Therapy
Certifications
National Association of Holistic Healthcare
Certified Natural Health Practitioner
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
American College of Sports Medicine
Health Fitness Professional
Rehabilitative Specialist
National Certified Recreation Specialist
Wilderness Medical Associates
Wilderness First Responder
American Heart Association
Basic Life Support Instructor
BLS Training Center Faculty
Twist Sports Master Trainer
Speed and Agility Specialist
Yoga Fit
Certified Instructor
American Fitness Professionals Associates
Certified Aging Adult Fitness Consultant
Prescription for the Aging Adult
National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association
Certified Sports Nutritionist
Certified Nutritionist
Certified Advanced Trigger Point Therapist
Certified Egoscue Therapist
American Canoe and Kayak Association
Certified Level 3 in Swift Water Rescue
International Sports and Fitness Training Association
Certified Trainer and Facilitator
Teaching Experience
Positions:
Assistant Professor of Health and Wellness
Gainesville State College, Division of Health and Wellness, Fall 2010-present
Instructor of Health and Wellness
Gainesville State College, Division of Health and Wellness, Fall 2007-2010
Adjunct Professor of Health and Wellness
Gainesville State College, Division of Education, Health and Wellness, 2005-2007
Adjunct Professor of Wellness
Georgia Perimeter College, Department of Wellness, 2003-2006
Courses Taught:
Gainesville State College
EXRS 2150 Sport Conditioning
EXRS 2020 Nutrition
EXRS 2000/L Personal Training
EXRS 2034 Intro to Exercise Physiology
PHED 1002 CPR & First Aid
PHED 1020 Personal Health and Wellness
PHED 1134 Weight Training
PHED 1115 Bowling
PHED 1401 Canoe and Kayaking
PHED 1301 Backpacking and Hiking
PHED 1306 Wilderness Survival Skills
PHED 1110 Fitness Walking
RLST 2100 Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services
Georgia Perimeter College
PHED 1025 Bowling
PHED 1061 Fitness Walking
PHED 1065 Weight Training
PHED 1069 Aerobics
PHED 1087 Survival Skills
PHED 1101 Choices for Life
Other Employment
Dynamic Therapeutics, Oakwood, GA. Director of Operations, 2012-present
Responsible for public relations and marketing of company.
Medical Massage Therapist.
De Novo Fitness Systems, Flowery Branch, GA. Owner, Operations Manager, 1997-2010
Responsible for hiring of new employees, public relations, and operations
Personal Trainer, developed and executed exercise programming
Developed corporate wellness programs for 11 corporations
Trained and prepared new personal trainers and massage therapists for corporate
programming positions
Chateau Élan, Braselton, GA. Fitness Director, 1997-1998
Conducted physical fitness programs for guests and residents
Scheduled, programmed and facilitated corporate team-building programs
Other Professional Experience
Health and Fitness Consultant, WDUN radio, Gainesville, GA, 2008
Wilderness Medical Support for Wilderness Therapy Programs, 2001-2012
Strength and Conditioning Coach, Gainesville Gymnastics Center, 2001-2004
Clinical Rehabilitation Specialist, Sugar Hill Family Chiropractic Center, 2000-present
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 1998-2000
Outdoor Leadership Director, Athens YWCO Camp for Girls, 1998-1999
Health and Fitness Consultant, FOX 5 Atlanta, 1998-1999
Certified Personal Trainer, Powerhouse Gym, Duluth, GA, 1996-1997
Professional Service
Committees and Professional Service at Gainesville State College
Health and Wellness Search Committee, 2010
ACTT & Library Committee, 2008-2011, Chair 2010
Colloquium Committee, 2012
Consolidation Committee- Health and Wellness Curriculum review
Military Advisory Counsel, 2011-2012
Faculty advisor for WHORL and the Students Veteran’s Club
Representative, Hall County Health Consortium, Gainesville State College
Representative
Revised and rewrote curriculum for the Exercise Science Associates Degree
Writer, Associates Degree in Exercise, Sport and Recreation, to be introduced after
consolidation
Writer, Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise, Sport and Recreation, all courses and
curriculum to be submitted after consolidation
Writer, Seven new PHED, EXRS and RLST courses now taught at Gainesville State
College
Collaborated with the Anthropology Program and taught Wilderness Survival Skills, First
Aid and CPR to students on the Paleo-dig in Wyoming and S. Dakota, 2010
Developer, Hybrid Course, AHA CPR and First Aid, 2010
Facilitator, CPR & First Aid for all building managers and staff members
Presenter, Professional development workshops in Functional First Aid, Nutrition,
Wellness, Self Defense, Veteran’s Issues and other Wellness related topics
Developer, Cooperative programs with Hall County Parks and Leisure and the Exercise
Science program offering free fitness assessments and blood pressure screening
Co-Developer, Internship for Exercise Science students and the Atlanta Falcons
Established a personal training lab for students of the EXRS 2000 course to
perform free personal training on staff and faculty
Co-organizer and facilitator, Team building event in fall for Brenau and GSC Theater
students
Team Leader, GSC team for The American Heart Walk, 2010
Team Leader, GSC team for Relay for Life, 2009
Facilitator and Proctor, ISFTA National Personal Trainer Certification for Exercise
Science Students
Assisted in annual triathlon and swim meets
Assisted with Veteran’s Day Memorial and celebration
Community Service
Instructor, “Lunch and learn” workshops in Health and Wellness to local businesses,
2010-2012
Assistant leader, Girl Scout Troop 13524, 2011-2012
Volunteer, Administer free massages to the Potter’s House and to the Gainesville Senior
Life Center, 2011-2012
Volunteer, Meals on Wheels 1999-2003, 2010-2012
Volunteer, Girls’ Softball Coach, 8 and under, Gainesville Parks and Recreation, 20092012
Board Member, Aeerie Experiences, Inc., 2012
Board Member, Copper Springs HOA, 2009-2011
Military Experience and Honors
US Army, USA and Korea, Sergeant/E-5, US Army Band, 1990-1996
Flute/Piccolo Player, performed for concert, wind ensemble, marching band assignments
across the world for public relations and morale support of the US troops and the
community
Public Affairs NCO, Liaison for US Army Band and local governments in setting up
community events and concerts.
Training NCO, scheduled and executed fitness protocols and exercise programs in order
to meet the US Army standards for fitness.
Scheduled appropriate common tasks training in areas of rifle skills and other
mandates issued by the US Army for compliance
NBC NCO, Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare specialist. Coordinated and
established protocols for situations that may involve any threat of exposure to
any foreign elements. Trained 45 person unit to prepare for potential threats.
Maintained inventory and coordinated training scenarios.
MFT NCO, Master Fitness Trainer. Responsible for creating effective workout programs
for individual units to comply to Army standards for physical fitness. Conducted
physical readiness tests and body composition screenings.
US Army Good Conduct Medal, 1993, 1996
United States Army Commendation Medal, 1994, 1995
United States Army Achievement Medal, 1993, 1995
Honorable Discharge, 1993, 1996
Professional Memberships
American Massage Therapy Association
National Recreation and Parks Association
Wilderness Medical Association
Georgia Recreation and Parks Association
National Strength and Conditioning Professionals Association
Natural Health Care Practitioners Association
Additional Honors
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Winner
Magnum Cum Lade, Academic Honors, University of Georgia
Phi Mu Zeta, National Honor Society, University of Georgia
Cum Lade, Academic Honors, Cochise College, University of Georgia
Personal Trainer of the Year, National Personal Trainers Association
Publications, Grants
Innovative Teaching Grant Award Winner, Major Grant, Gainesville State College, 2012
Kinesthetic Teaching Methodologies using three dimensional models to enhance
functional knowledge.
Butler-Collins, T., Edney, P. (2010). More than a Gym Teacher, Innovative Teaching
Abstract, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.
Butler, T. (2008). GI Jane, Set point Fitness Journal, September
Butler, T. (2007). Tips for surviving the holidays, Set point Fitness Journal, November
Butler-Collins, T. (2006). Spot training: myth vs. fact, Self Magazine, June
Contributing Author to Gainesville Times, 2002-2003
Contributing Author to Atlanta Sports and Fitness Magazine, 2005-2006
Research Experience
Vets for Vets Winterization Project, 2012
2012-2013 (Home Depot Foundation Grant, $5K)
Vincent Ramsey (PI), Tonya Butler-Collins (Co-PI)
The purpose of this grant is to help improve the lives and living conditions of veterans in need by
providing supplies and labor for home repair, remodeling and winterization for their abodes.
Gainesville State College, Gainesville GA, 2011
Department of Education, Health and Wellness
Lead Researcher
Performed body mass index assessments on school aged children in the Gainesville City
School District. Gathered data to determine prevalence of obesity in children of lower
income housing developments.
University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2000
Department of Counseling and Human Services
Graduate student
Identified predominating barriers to women and leisure in park and recreation
settings. Gathered data for alternative recreation resources.
Presentations
Butler-Collins, Tonya. Myofacial Compression Techniques using Trigger Point
Performance, McLean Va. April, 2013
Butler-Collins, Tonya. Myofacial Compression Techniques. ACSM International
Conference, Indianapolis, In. May, 2013
Butler-Collins, Tonya. Myofacial Compression Techniques, Atlanta Mania Conference,
Atlanta, Ga. July, 2013
Butler-Collins, Tonya. Myofacial Compression Techniques using Trigger Point
Performance, Wilmington, NC, September 2013
Butler-Collins, Tonya. Myofacial Compression Techniques using Trigger Point
Performance, Kennesaw State University, Nov. 2013