Jill Kochanek

Jill Kochanek serves as Director of the Athletic Leadership Master's Program and Assistant Professor of Physical Education at Springfield College within the School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership and Department of Physical Education and Health Education.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., 2021
• Master of Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/Twin Cities, Minn., 2017

Research Focus: As a sport scholar-coach-practitioner, Dr. Kochanek critically examines status quo sport dynamics and their marginalizing effects. Her work centers on promoting inclusion, equity, and social justice through sports, with specific emphasis on social justice promotion, positive youth development, and intergroup dialogue. She investigates how youth and adult leaders can adopt more socially responsible practices to transform sport environments.

Applied Practice: Functioning as a teacher, facilitator, soccer coach, and sport psychology practitioner, she delivers educational programming to athletes, coaches, and teams across youth, collegiate, and professional levels. Her initiatives develop leaders' knowledge, attitudes, and skills for creating inclusive and empowering sport ecosystems.

Professional Credentials: Certified as RISE Diversity/Inclusion Facilitator, Koru Mindfulness Teacher, and Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator. Teaches Critical and Inclusive Approaches to Sport curriculum.

Academic Leadership: Directs the Athletic Leadership Master's Program, overseeing curriculum development and graduate student mentorship despite no specific advisees listed in source materials.