Carrie Mershon, M.S., Ph.D.
Research Interests
Carrie Mershon’s research has focused on a systems approach to population health. Her dissertation study uses photovoice to identify settings that promote rural youth being physically active. Her current interests include using qualitative methods to increase positive health outcomes in communities with an emphasis on health equity.
Education
Professional Memberships
Teaching Experience
University of Minnesota Extension
Kansas State University
Research Experience
Refereed Journal Articles
Mailey, E. L., Mershon, C., Joyce, J. M., Irwin, B. C. (2018). "Everything else comes first": A
mixed-methods analysis of barriers to health behaviors among military spouses. BMC Public
Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5938-z
Publications in Preparation
Mershon, C. & Dzewaltowski, D. Partnership, collaboration, and coalition: a scoping review of the muddled lexicon of population health. (In preparation)
Essay, A., Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. Whole of community systematic review. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Applying photovoice methods to enhance youth physical activity. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Youth physical activity settings in one rural town. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Rural Kansas 4-H as a place of youth physical activity: an ethnographic case study. (In preparation)
Presentations
Mershon, C.. & Schlechter, C. R., Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance Annual Convention, "Systems Approach to Increase Physical Activity During PE Time by Improved Class System Management," Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Topeka, KS, United States. (October 26, 2017).
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Active, Able, and Adaptive Climate and Diversity Conference, “Applying Photovoice Methods to Enhance Physical Activity Among Students with Disabilities,” Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. (March 1, 2019).
Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Annual Meeting, “Defining Community Group Collaborative: a scoping review of terms,” Seattle, WA (October 3, 2019).
Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. American Evaluation Association Annual Meeting, “Applying Photovoice
Methods to Identify and Increase Physical Activity in Rural Youth,” Minneapolis, MN (November 14, 2019).
Awards
Community Service
Just Food Advisory Board (2008-2012)
USD 497 (2004-present)
Safe Routes to School (2014- 2016)
Carrie Mershon’s research has focused on a systems approach to population health. Her dissertation study uses photovoice to identify settings that promote rural youth being physically active. Her current interests include using qualitative methods to increase positive health outcomes in communities with an emphasis on health equity.
Education
- Ph.D. (Kinesiology), Kansas State University
- Dissertation: Exploring rural youth physical activity settings through qualitative inquiry
- ,Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research, Kansas State University
- 2006, M.S. (Physical Education Pedagogy), University of Kansas
- 2003, B.S. (Special Education), University of Oklahoma
Professional Memberships
- American Evaluation Association
- Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health and Science
- American Public Health Association
- Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Teaching Experience
University of Minnesota Extension
- Photovoice for Community Feedback. A 6-session course on applying photovoice methods to research and extension work.
Kansas State University
- KIN 220, Biobehavioral Bases to Physical Activity, 6 courses (labs). Practicum Supervisor.
- KIN 310, Measurement and Research Techniques, 5 courses (labs).
- KIN 345, Public Health/ Exercise Behavioral Science, 7 courses (labs). Lab coordinator.
- KIN 614, Physical Activity Behavior Settings: Youth Sport to Senior Centers. Guest Lecture. (October
- 2016). Youth behavior setting assessments and measurements.
- KIN 602, Social Determinants of Physical Activity. Guest Lecture. (November 2017). Promoting physical
- activity in disenfranchised populations.
- KIN 345, Public Health/ Exercise Behavioral Science. Guest Lecture (November 2018). Social
- determinants of health.
- KIN 345, Public Health/ Exercise Behavioral Science. Guest Lecture (February 2019). Social determinants
- of health.
Research Experience
- August 2015-present, Doctoral Researcher, Kansas State University
- July 2007- July 2011, Family Nutrition Program, Kansas State University/Douglas County K-State Research and Extension
- June 2006-June 2009, Healthy Opportunities for Physical Activity and Nutrition (HOP’N)
Refereed Journal Articles
Mailey, E. L., Mershon, C., Joyce, J. M., Irwin, B. C. (2018). "Everything else comes first": A
mixed-methods analysis of barriers to health behaviors among military spouses. BMC Public
Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5938-z
Publications in Preparation
Mershon, C. & Dzewaltowski, D. Partnership, collaboration, and coalition: a scoping review of the muddled lexicon of population health. (In preparation)
Essay, A., Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. Whole of community systematic review. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Applying photovoice methods to enhance youth physical activity. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Youth physical activity settings in one rural town. (In preparation)
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Rural Kansas 4-H as a place of youth physical activity: an ethnographic case study. (In preparation)
Presentations
Mershon, C.. & Schlechter, C. R., Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance Annual Convention, "Systems Approach to Increase Physical Activity During PE Time by Improved Class System Management," Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Topeka, KS, United States. (October 26, 2017).
Mershon, C., McElroy, M., Dzewaltowski, D. Active, Able, and Adaptive Climate and Diversity Conference, “Applying Photovoice Methods to Enhance Physical Activity Among Students with Disabilities,” Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. (March 1, 2019).
Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Annual Meeting, “Defining Community Group Collaborative: a scoping review of terms,” Seattle, WA (October 3, 2019).
Mershon, C., Dzewaltowski, D. American Evaluation Association Annual Meeting, “Applying Photovoice
Methods to Identify and Increase Physical Activity in Rural Youth,” Minneapolis, MN (November 14, 2019).
Awards
- Kansas State University, Department of Kinesiology Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year (2019)
- Kansas State University, College of Health and Human Ecology Outstanding Teaching Award (2019)
- Kansas State University, Graduate Student Council Travel Award (2018, 2019)
- Kansas State University, Health and Human Science Travel Award (2017, 2018, 2019)
Community Service
Just Food Advisory Board (2008-2012)
- Active in the creation, policy making, fundraising, and decision making of the Douglas County food bank.
USD 497 (2004-present)
- Grant writing and organization of Marathon (running) clubs.
- Policy guidance on wellness committees, site councils (chairperson), and the district equity council (chairperson).
- Parental and staff organizing and training.
Safe Routes to School (2014- 2016)
- Participated in introductory planning to implement increased walking and biking to schools.