Dr. Jill Heupel serves as Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Master of Education in Sport and Wellness Leadership at Howard Payne University. With more than 31 years of teaching experience, including the past nine years at HPU, she is passionate about preparing future educators to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their students and communities.
Dr. Heupel teaches undergraduate kinesiology courses, including all-level teacher certification, Lifespan Motor Development, Psychology of Exercise and physical education pedagogy, as well as graduate coursework in the Sport and Wellness Leadership program. She especially enjoys teaching future physical educators how motor skills develop throughout life and equipping them with effective, engaging teaching practices that inspire lifelong health and wellness.
At Howard Payne, Dr. Heupel values the opportunity to teach through a Christ-centered perspective, celebrating God’s design of the human body and mind. She is especially grateful for the close-knit campus community, where faculty and students encourage one another academically, spiritually and personally. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside students as they prepare for their careers and to model Christ’s love in the classroom.
Her passion for kinesiology extends beyond physical fitness. Dr. Heupel believes quality physical education plays a vital role in developing the whole person—physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. As today’s students face increasing challenges related to mental health, sedentary lifestyles and chronic disease, she is committed to preparing future educators who can motivate and empower the next generation to embrace healthy, active lives. Through her teaching, she hopes to shape not only what future educators teach, but how they inspire others to flourish through movement, wellness and purposeful living.
Dr. Heupel earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Studies, a Master of Education in Physical Education and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Her scholarship focuses on character development and collegiate athletics. She has co-authored articles published in the Journal of College and Character and the American International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, examining the social and moral character of collegiate athletes.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Heupel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and maintaining an active lifestyle. She and her husband, Nick, have been married for more than 31 years and have two children, Seth and Madelyn. They also enjoy spoiling their grandson, Jackson Shepherd Rainha. A member of May First Baptist Church, Dr. Heupel is devoted to studying God’s Word and growing in her understanding of His character. Having placed her faith in Christ at the age of nine, she considers God’s faithfulness the foundation of both her personal life and professional calling.
