Jason Talanian, Ph.D. joined Lesley University in October 2012 as the head coach of the Lynx Women’s Basketball Program.

Talanian was previously an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program at nearby Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. He took part in all aspects of the program before leaving to pursue his career in teaching.

He is currently an assistant professor in exercise science at Fitchburg State University. His classes include the scientific principles of strength and conditioning, human motor development and other classes focusing on improving health, fitness and performance.

While completing his doctorate degree in Guelph, Ontario he coached boys and girls varsity basketball programs at the high school level.  On the girls side, Talanian won two regional championships as the head coach of Bishop Macdonnell and also claimed a silver and bronze medal at the Ontario Provincial Championships.

Prior to going to school in Canada, Jason coached for nine years in Sacramento, CA. There he gained experience in both boys and girls programs, collected three league championships and worked with a number of athletes that went on to successful collegiate careers.  In addition, he started the Capitol City Rebels AAU club, ran numerous summer camps and recreational basketball leagues.

Talanian’s experience in athletics and sports also includes time as a head varsity track and cross country coach, and he is also a certified personal trainer (ACSM). While completing his Ph.D. his research focused on training strategies to improve fitness and performance and has worked with elite and professional athletes to determine hydration levels before and after exercise. Jason also ran two years of collegiate cross country at Sacramento City College and was a competitive triathlete for a number of years.

Wechsler played for four years at Lesley University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 2011. She completed her master’s degree in Moderate Disabilities PK-8 at Lesley in 2012. Kaitlyn was part of two New England Collegiate Conference Championship teams in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 and was voted First Team all NECC in 2010-2011. Kaitlyn graduated as Lesley University’s career leader in points, free throw percentage, and double-digit scoring games. Kaitlyn came to Lesley from Merrick, NY and played for Our Lady of Mercy Academy. She currently teaches middle school math full time in Lynn, MA at Breed Middle School.

Lekia Cowen joins Lesley University as an assistant coach after spending the 2012-2013 season as the assistant coach at Fitchburg State University.

Cowen spent her first two years of her college career playing for Bryant University’s Division I program as a full scholarship athlete and finished her collegiate career with two seasons with Franklin Pierce University where she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.  She also has experience working with young athletes through the Sarah Behn Basketball Camp where she helped camp participants further develop their individual and team skills. 

Cowen is currently a graduate student at Fitchburg State University, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration.