NAKHE Newsletter

The Power of Belonging and a Diverse Professional Community

I am already looking forward to the Santa Fe NAKHE Annual Conference! Anyone else there? Each time I attend our conferences, I find myself sitting with a group of colleagues after a long day of sessions. The conversation quickly shifts from research and curriculum to the realities of our work: balancing responsibilities, leading departments, mentoring students and faculty, and navigating all of these unexpected technology challenges. On the plane ride home, I often find myself reflecting on the value of these conversations. Some of the best ideas I've taken back to my campus have started as hallway or coffee conversations with colleagues who were dealing with a similar issue that I am grappling with. Sometimes the value isn't even the solution. Sometimes it's just realizing someone else is wrestling with the same problem. I am reminded that one of the greatest strengths of our organization is not found in any particular program, discipline, policy, or initiative. Our strength and uniqueness are found in community.

With that in mind, I find myself asking a simple question: What do faculty, staff, and academic leaders need from one another right now as we embark upon the new academic year?

I believe that answer lies in one another. When I look back on my own career, I certainly remember the invigorating research projects, committee assignments, mentoring programs, and strategic plan initiatives. But what has mattered most has been the relationships made along the way: colleagues who offered advice, mentors who provided encouragement, and friends who reminded me that none of us are navigating this profession alone.

We frequently discuss belonging as an important outcome for students, and rightfully so. Yet I assert belonging matters for faculty, staff, and administrators as well. We want our careers filled with a sense of having made a difference to our professions and the people we work with and for. We all want to feel connected to colleagues near and far: people who understand our work, celebrate our good news, and support our growth. I am convinced more than ever that our greatest professional resource is a supportive, collaborative community.

And community is one of the reasons NAKHE remains such a valuable organization.

One of the things I value most about NAKHE is that it has never been a place where everyone thinks alike. Within a single conference or committee meeting, we have conversations among physical education teacher educators, coaching experts, exercise scientists, administrators, and many others who contribute to the broad field of kinesiology. We don't always see problems through the same lens, and honestly, that's a good thing. If everyone in the room approaches a challenge the same way, we probably aren't learning much from one another. When colleagues with different backgrounds and expertise come together, we learn from one another and develop stronger solutions than any one perspective could provide alone.

I believe this diversity is one of NAKHE’s greatest strengths and, in my opinion, the future success of our organization.

In fact, I think that diversity of perspectives is one of the reasons NAKHE has remained relevant. We need exercise scientists. We need PETE faculty. We need coaching experts, administrators, and scholars from every corner of kinesiology. The future of our organization depends on bringing those voices together, not narrowing them.

As we look toward the future, I believe the continued strength of NAKHE will depend on our ability to build a professional home where all members feel welcomed, valued, and connected. As we continue investing in our relationships, we will not only navigate change successfully, but we will also model how the future of kinesiology in higher education can aspire to be. As members of NAKHE, we are more than colleagues who share an academic field. At the end of the day, NAKHE works because its members care about one another's success.

I am grateful for this community and for the opportunity to serve alongside each of you.

- Resa, your 2026 NAKHE President

The application deadlines for the Engaged Scholar Program and the Leadership Mentor Program have been extended to August 31st. Click the picture below for more information!

2027 Annual NAKHE Conference: Blazing New Trails: Exploring Innovative Frontiers Through Bold Perspectives

January 5-8, 2027

Eldorado Hotel and Spa

309 W San Francisco St.

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Phone: (505) 988-4455

Hotel Website: https://www.eldoradohotel.com/

Conference Planner: Jeremy Elliott

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico and the oldest U.S. state capital, is renowned for its distinctive Pueblo-style adobe architecture, rich Indigenous and Spanish heritage, and status as a major hub for Southwest art. Known as "The City Different," it features over 250 art galleries on Canyon Road, the Meow Wolf immersive art experience, and New Mexican green chile cuisine.

The historic Santa Fe Plaza, lined with adobe Talavera pottery shops, art galleries, Mexican restaurants, and the stunning Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (the oldest church in the United States), attracts roughly 1.5 million tourists each year. The heart of the city for nearly 400 years, the plaza is the perfect place to explore one of the state’s most remarkable cities.

Trip Adviser says, “Surrounded by city landmarks, including art and history museums, the Santa Fe Plaza is the heart and soul of the capital city. Sit back on one of the square’s benches to people-watch and take in the small-town feel. Then, set out to explore the countless art galleries, shops, and flea markets in the area. Try the local street food from the food carts, or if you’re in the mood to splurge, check out the dozen or so high-end restaurants. You can also sign up for a walking tour to learn more about the city’s rich history.”

Our conference hotel, the Eldorado Hotel and Spa, is ideally situated to make the most of Santa Fe’s attractions. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the largest collection of one of the 20th century's most influential artists, whose greatest work was inspired by New Mexico, is literally across the street from the conference hotel, and the Santa Fe Plaza is less than 4 blocks away (0.2 miles).

Click the picture to register for the up and coming conference.

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

Click image to review full job description

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