AKA Leadership Institute

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:

1. a three-day virtual seminar (half days) in early January,
2. attendance at the annual AKA Leadership Workshop,
3. bi-monthly webinars with a speaker on a key topic, and
4. 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.

Testimonial from Leadership Institute Fellow in Cohort 1,

Mark Urtel, University of Indiana Indianapolis

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 May 31, 2025, and application requirements are detailed below.

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

Cost of Program

1. $1,500 program fee (includes registration to the Annual Leadership Workshop) will be invoiced once accepted into the institute
2. Registration/travel to the applicable pre-workshops and workshops

Decisions will be finalized by the end of June. 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.

Leadership Institute Directors

Tim Gavin

Co-Director

Purdue University

Heather Van Mullem

Co-Director

Lewis-Clark State College

Leadership Institute Mentors

*We would like to acknowledge Brian’s commitment and engagement to the Leadership Institute prior to his passing. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Lanie Dornier

Mentor

Tulane University

Steve Elmer

Mentor

St. Catherine University

*Brian Focht

Mentor

The Ohio State University

Michelle Gray

Mentor

University of Arkansas

Rick Kreider

Mentor

Texas A&M University

Ting Liu

Mentor

Texas A&M University San Antonio

Andrea Mason

Mentor

University of Wisconsin Madison

Penny McCullagh

Mentor

American Kinesiology Association/

Kinesiology Today

Sara Michaliszyn

Mentor

Youngstown State University

Mary Rudisill

Mentor

Auburn University

Mark Urtel

Mentor

Indiana University Indianapolis

Nancy Williams

Mentor

Penn State University