The American Kinesiology Association (AKA) promotes and enhances kinesiology as a unified field of study and advances its many applications. AKA does this by advocating for kinesiology at national and international levels, and by supporting member departments through educational opportunities and resource materials, including an annual workshop for university administrators in kinesiology. This annual AKA Leadership Workshop is widely regarded as the nation’s premiere conference for kinesiology department chairs, deans, and faculty who assist with the administration of kinesiology programs.
Building upon the success of the AKA Leadership Workshop, we introduced the AKA Leadership Institute, in 2019. The Leadership Institute utilizes a mentoring model to provide exceptional training and networking for new department chairs, associate chairs, and emerging faculty leaders who aspire to advance toward administrative positions in the near future. This 12-month program includes:
- a three-day virtual seminar (half days) in early January,
- attendance at the annual AKA Leadership Workshop,
- bi-monthly webinars with a speaker on a key topic, and
- bi-monthly one-on-one calls with a senior mentor to discuss a case scenario relating to the prior month webinar and to seek input on local challenges and career development. Key resource materials, often in the form of peer-review publications (i.e., Kinesiology Review, Quest, etc.) or case studies, will be provided prior to webinars and other sessions. Mentors are assigned in consultation with each fellow.
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 May 31, 2023, and application requirements are detailed below. Decisions will be finalized at the summer Executive Committee retreat (i.e., June/July), and the fellowship will officially begin each year in early January with a three-day virtual seminar followed closely by the AKA Leadership Workshop held at the end of January.
If you have questions, please contact AKA Leadership Institute directors Dr. Nancy Williams (niw1@psu.edu) and Dr. Tim Gavin (gavin1@purdue.edu).
Watch this video for a description of the Leadership Institute.
Application Requirements
- Cover letter detailing motivation and commitment to the fellowship, and outlining source of funding for the fellowship
- Curriculum vitae
- Three letters of support, including one from Dean/supervisor
Upload your application materials to this link by May 31st. If you need assistance uploading, contact our business manager, Kim Scott (kimscott@americankinesiology.org).
Costs of Program
- $1,000 program fee (includes registration to the Annual Leadership Workshop) will be invoiced once accepted into the institute
- Registration/travel to the applicable pre-workshops and workshops
Timeline for the AKA Class of 2024 Leadership Institute
January 2023
Fellow Session 1
- The Discipline of Kinesiology
- AKA Undergraduate Core Curriculum
- Understanding national trends in kinesiology & higher education
Fellow Session 2
- University structure and unit budget models
- Personnel: Managing faculty and staff
Fellow Session 3
- Moving into a new leadership role
- General leadership characteristics, and the role of shared governance
- Legal issues and pitfalls including: FERPA, HIPAA, Free Speech, COVID-19
February 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
March 2023 – Embracing Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Kinesiology
April 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
May 2023 – Creating a Plan for Strategic Initiatives
June 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
July 2023 – Branding and Marketing
August 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
September 2023 – Leadership Challenges and Solutions
October 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
November 2023 – Diversity & Inclusion: Promoting Social Justice — Building a Climate of Inclusive Excellence
December 2023 – Mentor/LI Participant call/Zoom
January 2024 – AKA Leadership Workshop – Includes recognition and certificate of fellow program completion
Click here to see the Class of 2022 Leadership Institute Fellows
Click here to see the Class of 2023 Leadership Institute Fellows
Click here to see the Class of 2024 Leadership Institute Fellows