Departmental Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute utilizes a mentoring model to provide exceptional training and networking for current department chairs, new department chairs, and incoming chairs. The focus of this program is toward more senior faculty. The goal of the Leader Institute is to provide department chairs with the skills to advance Kinesiology in their institutions.

Application Requirements

To ensure high quality programming, we limit the number of fellows and maintain a ratio of no more than 2:1 fellows-to-mentors. Applications are due June 30, 2026, and application requirements are detailed below.

1. Active Membership in AKA
2. Cover letter detailing motivation and commitment to the fellowship, and outlining source of funding for the fellowship
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Three letters of support, including one from Dean/supervisor

Program Fee:

Once accepted into the institute, it will be your choice to pay the $1,000 or $1,500 program fee.

The $1,000 program fee includes registration fee to the Annual Workshop at the conclusion of your Leadership Institute program that you will present at with other fellows.

The $1,500 program fee includes registration fees to two Annual Workshops. (1) the January workshop directly after the Leadership Institute Virtual 3-Day Seminar and (2) the January workshop at the conclusion of the Leadership Institute program, that you will present at with other fellows.

Included in the program fee:

• Three-day virtual seminar
• Bi-monthly virtual seminars
• Access to one-on-one calls with a senior mentor
• Registration fees for one or two in-person Annual Leadership Workshop (depending on your choice of program fee)

Not Included in the program fee:

• Registration fees for Annual Leadership Pre-Workshop (Undergraduate or Graduate Education Network)
• Travel and hotel reservations to the Annual Leadership Workshop

Decisions will be finalized by the end of July. The fellowship will officially begin in December 2026 or early January 2027 with a three-day virtual seminar followed closely by the AKA Leadership Workshop held at the end of January.

Leadership Institute Directors

Andrea Mason

Co-Director

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chris Aiken

Co-Director

New Mexico State University