Professor, Co-Associate Chair, Kinesiology
Cal State East Bay
Dr. My Phung (Jenny) O is a cognitive behavioral scientist who investigates how thought, perception, and the use of mental skills drive learning and performance in classrooms and sport. Her courses immerse students in case analyses and hands-on projects that translate cognitive theory to practice, earning her Cal State East Bay’s Provost’s Award for Outstanding Mentor of Students (2015).
To widen access to research, Dr. O co-founded the Kinesiology Research Group in 2013, a culturally responsive mentoring group recognized as CSUEB’s Outstanding Student Club (2015). Discipline-wide, her support of emerging scholars was honored with the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity President’s Award (2020). She directs and is the PI for the federally funded CSUEB B.E.T. McNair Scholars Program, previously led the Center for Student Research, and serves as co-associate chair of her Department of Kinesiology. A 2021 Fellow of the American Kinesiology Association Leadership Institute, she previously consulted with Pioneer Athletics on mental performance and advises mission-driven groups and organizations on inclusive culture.
Over a decade on the Academic Senate, including two terms as Senate Chair, has positioned Dr. O as a vocal campus advocate for transparent governance and sustainable and representative working and teaching culture. Across teaching, research, and leadership, she centers first-generation, low-income, BIPOC, neurodiverse, and other marginalized voices while modeling equity-minded practice.