Dr. Stroope is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University. Stroope's research includes three overlapping areas: co-benefits of active transportation, public health approaches to increasing rural physical activity, and access to nature, with an overarching interest in how physical activity contributes to community thriving. Stroope is on the leadership team for the Physical Activity Policy, Research, and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) Rural Hub and serves on the Dissemination and Translation Board for the U Mass Prevention Research Center. Before joining the LSU School of Kinesiology, she spent ten years working for Cooperative Extension, with most of those years serving as the LSU AgCenter's physical activity specialist. In that role, she partnered with Extension agents, small towns, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, rural librarians, schools and other community partners to increase access to physical activity, with a particular focus on helping communities pursue funding for active transportation infrastructure. Description In this episode of the Elevate Yourself podcast, Rob sits down with Dr. Jessica Stroope to discuss how communities can be designed to support healthier, more active lives. Drawing from her experiences in public health, Cooperative Extension, and community-based research, Jessica explores the powerful role that active transportation, access to nature, and the built environment play in shaping physical activity behaviors. She shares lessons learned from working with rural communities, transportation departments, schools, libraries, and local leaders to create environments where movement is a natural part of everyday life. The conversation highlights how seemingly small environmental changes can have a meaningful impact on health outcomes, why partnerships across sectors are essential, and how community design influences far more than physical activity alone. Whether you're interested in public health, community development, or simply creating places where people can thrive, this episode offers practical insights into building more accessible and active communities. Learn More Physical Activity Policy, Research, and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) LSU School of Kinesiology LSU AgCenter Selected Publications: Stroope, J., Ballis, L. E., Seals, K., Garn, A. C., Holston, D. (In press). Rural Physical Activity in the Mississippi Delta: the moderating influence of stray dogs. Journal of Healthy Eating & Active Living. Stroope, J., Umstattd Meyer, M.R., Gabbert, K., John, D.H., Orzech, K., Wende, M.E., and Kellstedt, D. (2025). Physical Activity Policy, Systems, and Environment Change through Extension SNAP-Ed: A Multi-State Perspective. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399231221779 Stroope, J., Jones, M., Nunes, B., & Holston, D. (2024). Improving Access to the Transportation Alternatives Program for Rural Communities. Journal of Healthy Eating & Active Living. https://doi.org/10.51250/jheal.v4i3.94 Stroope, J., Garn, A., and Cadmus-Bertram, L. (2022). Active transportation and self-reported change in physical activity. Journal of Transport & Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2022.101528 Seals, K., Stroope, J., Freightman, J., Moles, A., Ainsworth, L, and Holston, D. (2022). Empty houses, loose dogs, and engaged citizens: Lessons learned from community participatory data collection in rural areas. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221111181 Stroope, J. (2021). Active transportation and social capital: The association between walking or biking for transportation and community participation. Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106666
