Dr. Kim Beason is an Associate Professor, Program Coordinator and Director of the Senior Adult Aquatic Program at the University of Mississippi.  He resides in the Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management Department and has worked there for over twenty years.  Dr. Beason received his undergraduate education from the College of the Ozarks in Missouri where he was introduced to his aquatic mentor Dora Meikle.  He then moved to the University of Arkansas to complete both his master’s and doctoral degrees.  Dr. Beason is an active member of the National Recreation and Park Association, Aquatic Exercise Association Research Committee as well as the Aquatic Therapy Rehabilitation Institute.  He has served on numerous committees and presented around the nation and internationally.  Dr. Beason has also contributed to the Aquatic Therapy Research Journal by serving as an assistant editor in 2004.

Dr. Kim Beason is an accomplished, and well funded, researcher with his most recent, and pending, publications being in the field of aquatics.  His primary interest in the field includes social, physiological and psychological impacts aquatic recreation programs have within the aging population and particularly older adults (over 65).  Dr. Beason’s latest manuscript entitled  “Low-to-Medium Intensity Aquatic Exercise Effect on Bone Mineral Content, Lean Muscle and Fat in Adults Over 65: A five year cohort study of senior adults involved in a social aquatic exercise program” is in development for the International Journal of Aquatic Therapy Education and should provoke great interest for water aerobics instructors coping with talkative exercise cohorts.  Dr. Beason also holds great interest in moving the field of aquatics towards professionalism, credentialing, and licensure.  “Water works wonders and it is time to advocate at state and national levels for universally recognized licensure and specialized certifications within the various aquatic fields.  The profession has built a knowledge baseline and we possess empirical evidence that can support our push toward becoming a credentialed profession.  I believe that our (the entire profession) accumulated research shows that aquatic professionals are separate and identifiable from related professions and professionals.” 

Dr. Kim Beason has a knowledge and passion for the field of aquatics that is assisting in the continuation of building a solid knowledge base for aquatic professionals.  His efforts, locally and nationally, are being recognized as excellent foundational work.