The American Kinesiology Association recognizes outstanding administrative and leadership performance of an individual at an AKA member institution who contributes to the attainment of their kinesiology unit’s strategic goals.
AKA Jerry R. Thomas Distinguished Leadership Award
An award will be given for each level of institutional membership:
- Doctoral degree granting departments;
- Master’s degree granting departments;
- Undergraduate degree granting departments; and
- Associate degree granting departments.
Awards at any level are given only when an eligible nominee clearly meets the stated criteria and no more than one award is presented for each level per year.
Eligibility
Individuals who have served at least 3 years as a chair or director of an AKA-member department are eligible for this award. The nominee must have made significant contributions to AKA.
Criteria
The selection committee will consider many characteristics to determine the winners, including specific examples of accomplishments aligned with the following criteria while serving as an administrator and leader. Significant contributions will be evident in at least two or more of the following areas:
- Advanced successful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the unit
- Built innovative curricula to strengthen the undergraduate core of kinesiology
- Expanded faculty and student research productivity focused on physical activity
- Established partnerships and outreach activities that significantly impact the unit
- Achieved success in obtaining new or renovated facilities for teaching and research
- Inspired others to achieve at a high level
- Made significant changes that enhanced the effectiveness and efficiencies of programs and services
Requirements
- Letter of nomination (written by nominator should be limited to maximum of 1,000 words; self-nominations accepted)
- Curriculum Vita
Note: Above listed nomination materials should be submitted as pdf files labeled with the nominee’s name (last name, first name, Institution). Once all materials are ready, complete the submission form linked below (instructions for submitting files are included in the submission form).
Deadline for Receipt of Nomination Materials is 5:00 pm CT on October 1, 2023.
Nomination Submission Form
