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By Mark Wilcox, Michigan Technological University News Writer
Jason Carter, chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology at Michigan Technological University, has been named president-elect of the American Kinesiology Association (AKA).
Current AKA President Mary Rudisill, director of the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University, says, “The American Kinesiology Association is dedicated to advancing our academic discipline through providing advocacy, resources and leadership development and training. We rely on the top leaders in the field to lead this effort. Dr. Jason Carter meets this criteria and is already making significant contributions in his new role.”
AKA Executive Director Amelia Lee, says she’s had the chance to work with five different AKA presidents over the years, comparing Carter favorably to his predecessors.
“President-Elect Jason Carter ranks among the best as far as having the qualities that I consider good leadership skills,” she says. “He is confident, has the ability to inspire others, is willing to listen, follows through on issues, makes good decisions, is inclusive and always builds consensus.”
Lee says the AKA is very fortunate to have Carter on the leadership team. “I look forward to working with him over the next three years.”
Under the association’s structure, Carter will serve as president-elect beginning next month and continue in that capacity throughout 2017. He will assume the duties of AKA president in 2018 and will serve as past-president throughout 2019.
Carter has been a member of the AKA leadership team for the past five years, three as a board member and two years as an executive committee member. Carter says he’s “humbled and honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with such an important leadership role.”
“I’ve been blessed to have great mentorship throughout my career, both here at Michigan Tech and with colleagues across the country. I’m eager to pay it forward with other kinesiology chairs and faculty.”
Bruce Seely, dean of Michigan Tech’s School of Science and Arts says Carter’s election to this prestigious position is a positive reflection on him, his department and the University.
“Jason’s election as president-elect of the American Kinesiology Association is yet another indication of the recognition that he has built for his program of teaching, research and scholarship,” Seely says.
“The endorsement of his peers, which is well-earned indeed, reflects the hard work and dedication that he brings in abundance to everything he does. But almost as important, this type of honor also serves to increase the awareness of his peers concerning the program of education and research built in KIP over the past dozen years or so. So it’s good for him and for the University as a whole.”
Carter agrees that his ascension to a national post reflects positively on Michigan Tech.
“While I’m excited for this as a professional growth opportunity, I’m perhaps more happy the position contributes to Michigan Tech’s strategic goals of fostering national recognition of the institution. Kinesiology programs are typically one of the largest majors at most comprehensive universities, including the top-ranked public institutions across the U.S. It’s a great opportunity for broadened national exposure for Michigan Tech.”
Carter earned both his bachelor’s and PhD degrees from Michigan Tech. He began teaching in the then-Department of Health and Physical Education. He was named chair of that department in 2006 and remained chair when it became the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology in 2011. He has served as associate dean of the College of Sciences and Arts and is currently assistant to the vice president for research for research development.
The American Kinesiology Association promotes and enhances kinesiology as a unified field of study and advances its many applications. The AKA defines kinesiology as an academic discipline that involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society and quality of life. This includes, but is not limited to, areas of study such as exercise science, sports management, athletic training and sports medicine, socio-cultural analyses of sports, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership and more.
