Heidi Grappendorf

Dr. Heidi Grappendorf is a Professor in Sport Management at Western Carolina University (WCU), affiliated with the School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality and Tourism Management. Previously, she held roles as Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. She earned a PhD in Sport Administration from the University of New Mexico, an MA from the University of Northern Colorado, and a BA from Dana College.

Her research focuses on gender roles' impact on women's careers in sport management, mentoring, fan-family conflict, and curriculum design. She teaches courses such as Global Issues in Sport, Sport Media, and Diversity. Dr. Grappendorf has published nearly 50 articles and 15 book chapters, with recent work addressing unpaid internships, salary negotiations for female students, and fantasy sport participation barriers.

Her articles span topics like gender equity in sport media, leadership challenges for women in athletics, and the sociological dynamics of fan behavior. She is actively involved in accreditation standards for sport management programs and advocates for inclusive curriculum development.

Notably, her research highlights systemic barriers faced by women in sport leadership roles and proposes strategies to enhance equity through mentorship and policy reform. Dr. Grappendorf's contributions extend to advancing educational frameworks that align with industry needs and professional standards.