For Anne C. Russ, athletic training has never been just about sports. It is about people, preparation, and being ready when someone needs help most.

“You’re there when the injury happens,” Russ said. “You’re figuring out what’s wrong, what needs to happen next, and then helping that person get back to what they do.”

That perspective has shaped nearly two decades of work at Temple. After coming here for her master’s degree in athletic training and later completing her PhD in kinesiology, Russ joined the faculty in 2012. Today, the associate professor teaches undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students while continuing research that helps athletic trainers better serve their patients.

What she enjoys most, though, is seeing students connect the dots.

“It’s those moments when things click,” Russ said. “You can see them put the big picture together. Then later, you hear what they’re doing after graduation, the challenges they’re facing, and what they’ve been able to achieve. That’s really rewarding.”

Russ said athletic training requires more than technical skill. It calls for presence, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning.

“Be present and have an open mind,” she said. “You never know what you’re walking into, and you never know what learning opportunities are going to come from that day.”

That mindset carries into Russ’s research. She has studied topics ranging from CPR performance to sexual harassment awareness in athletic training.

“It’s about helping people know what to do and not turn a blind eye to something that doesn’t seem right,” Russ said.

She is also a strong collaborator. Russ has worked closely with fellow faculty member Jamie Mansell to help build Temple’s athletic training programs, including the transition to the master’s level and the development of the clinical doctorate.

Jessica Boyer, a colleague and former Best of the Nest honoree, called Russ “really a rock star,” adding that “she’s very unassuming, but she’s doing important work.”

Russ sees that same spirit in Temple students.

“There’s something about them,” she said. “They’ve worked hard to get where they are, and they’re going to keep working hard to go where they want to go.”

For Russ, it all comes back to a simple idea.

“Showing up for people, being authentic, and being ready to support them with what they need—that goes a long way.”