Biography
Dr. Jennifer Rizzo grew up in San Juan Capistrano, California. Growing up Dr. Rizzo played softball and volleyball, including four years as a starter in volleyball in both high school and in college. She played volleyball for three years at Georgia State and one year at Concordia University Irvine. Dr. Rizzo graduated from Concordia University Irvine in 2003. As a grad assistant she was given the opportunity to teach Exercise and Sport Science classes where she fell in love with teaching. At Concordia, Dr. Rizzo received her Masters of Business Administration in 2005. In 2015 she completed her Ed.D in Sports Management with an emphasis in Sports Medicine from United States Sports Academy. Dr. Rizzo holds certifications in dry needling, cupping therapy, Functional Movement Screens (FMS) is an Impact Training Athletic Trainer (ITAT) and is a NIAAA Certified International Athletic Administrator (CIAA). In addition to her certification as a Board Certified Athletic Trainer Dr. Rizzo is certified with NASM as a corrective exercise specialist.
Dr. Rizzo’s tenure at Concordia University Irvine includes being an assistant athletic trainer working primarily with the baseball, girls’ basketball and girls’ volleyball programs. She also served as an associate professor of ESS and Athletic Training and the Athletic Training Education Program Director and Clinical Education Clinical Coordinator. Dr. Rizzo worked for Concordia International School Shanghai, in Shanghai China from 2018 – 2023, where she served as the Athletic Trainer and Wellness Coordinator. Currently Dr. Rizzo works as the Director of Health and Human Performance Programs and Assistant Athletic Director at Orange Lutheran High School. Dr. Rizzo Volunteers with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association International Committee and served as a coordinator for the Asia Pacific Athletic Trainers’ Society.
In her free time Dr. Rizzo enjoys traveling around the world, hiking, biking and exploring cities.
Education
- Concordia University Irvine
- 2003: Exercise and Sport Science: Emphasis Athletic Training
- Irvine 2005: Masters of Business Administration United States Sports Academy
- 2015: EdD Sports Management Emphasis Sports Medicine
Courses Taught
- ESS 122 Weight Training
- ESS 127 Cross Training
- ESS 338 Beginning Clinical Coursework I
- ESS 339 Beginning Clinical Coursework II
- ESS 388 Intermediate Clinical Coursework I
- ESS 389 Intermediate Clinical Coursework II
- ESS 438 Advanced Clinical Coursework I
- ESS 439 Advanced Clinical Coursework II
- ESS 101 Education for Healthful Living Lab
- ESS 348 Recognition and Evaluation of Athletic Injuries I (lower extremity)
- ESS 349 Recognition and Evaluation of Athletic Injuries II (upper extremity)
- ESS 407 Kinesiology
- ESS 304 Motor Learning
- ESS 306 Nutrition
- ESS 428 Athletic Training Administration
- ESS 358 Therapeutic Exercise
- MCAA/MSCE 570 Sports Medicine and Performance
- MCAA/MSCE 589 Advanced Sports Nutrition