NAKHE Newsletter

Dear NAKHE Members,

It is my honor to serve as your 2026 NAKHE President. I want to begin by sharing why NAKHE has become so important to me—important enough that I sought this role after only nine years as a member. My hope is that my story offers a bit of transparency about who I am and why I care deeply about this organization.

In 2016, I accepted a position at Western Carolina University in the Health and Physical Education Department, teaching Exercise Physiology to future HPE teachers. Before WCU, I had spent my career teaching Exercise Physiology within Exercise Science programs—a comfortable fit with my academic roots: a bachelor’s and master’s in biology followed by a doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Texas. What I didn’t anticipate was how different it would feel to move from teaching exercise science students to pedagogy students. My professional identity shifted abruptly, and I found myself unsteady in ways I hadn’t experienced before. Despite being a seasoned professor, I felt unmoored in unchartered waters, searching for a sense of direction and belonging.

A year and a half later, my colleagues encouraged me to attend my first NAKHE Annual Conference in Phoenix. That experience changed everything. NAKHE’s message - “Where Scholars Come to Lead”- was exactly the “ship-righting wind” I had been missing recently. The members and leadership didn’t see a ship adrift, only capable ship. They welcomed me, offered me a safe harbor – to learn, collaborate, and lead - reconnecting to my true self.

In Phoenix, Dr. Betty Block approached me and suggested I join the Bylaws Committee if I truly wanted to learn how NAKHE operates. I said yes, not fully realizing what that yes would become. One year later, I was chairing the committee, a role I continued through 2024. Over my nine-year membership, NAKHE has shaped me through the Leadership Development Workshop, the Department Head Certification Training program, and a Hellison Interdisciplinary Grant, and has celebrated my efforts with the Teaching Excellence Award and a President’s Award for Service. Each opportunity and each acknowledgment strengthened my commitment to the organization that helped me find my footing again. To say the least, Betty’s words came true.

Now, as we enter 2026, it’s my turn to give back. This year, NAKHE will focus on several important initiatives:

1. Exploring the future of the Sargent Lecture,

2. Clarifying relationships with special interest groups, including Instructional Physical Activity Programs, and

3. Re‑envisioning NAKHE’s future through an updated strategic plan.

In addition, I am introducing a personal initiative—a peer mentoring program for mid‑career women in higher education. While our mentoring dyads are plentiful and excellent, peer mentoring offers unique benefits that I believe can strengthen our community even further.

2026 will be a year of meaningful work, thoughtful dialogue, and purposeful action. I am honored to lead this organization as we refine our strategic direction, expand our partnerships, and strengthen opportunities for members at every career stage. Thank you for your continued commitment to NAKHE’s mission. I am ready to get to work—and I look forward to all we will achieve together.

Mission

The mission of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) is to foster leadership in kinesiology administration and policy related to teaching, scholarship and service in higher education.

Vision

NAKHE strives to be an inclusive community of kinesiology professionals who nurture, mentor, and lead one another to greatness.

Warmest regards,

Resa

Resa Chandler, PhD
Associate Professor, Western Carolina University
CFC Faculty Fellow for Faculty Mentoring
resa@nakhe.org

Dear NAKHE colleagues-

It was so wonderful getting to experience Nashville with all of my NAKHE colleagues! Kudos again to Lindsey Nanney and her team on a splendid job planning for Nashville. She has certainly left a high bar as I begin planning the 2027 NAKHE Conference in Santa Fe. Speaking of which, please make sure you complete the Post Conference Survey as quickly as you can. The Santa Fe planning team will use that feedback to help shape our plans for next year and work is already underway! I hope you all have a great start to 2026 and hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Jeremy Elliot, Ph.D.

NAKHE Vice President

Lead by Mark Tillman

2025 Cohort (Starting from top L to R)

Jin Lee- The University of Texas-Permian Basin

Jerry Loflin- North Carolina State University

Mark Tillman- Cohort Lead- Jacksonville University

Jamie Gilbert Mikell- Athens State University

Patrese Nesbitt- Kentucky State University

Ryan Conners- The University of Alabam in Huntsville

Christopher Wirth-University of West Florida

The NAKHE Marketing Committee would like to highlight our members in our social media and newsletter! Please fill out the information form by clicking here to be considered as our next featured member. If you have any questions, please contact Haley Blount (the committee chair) at blounth@nsula.edu.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

NAKHE Marketing Committee

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