Matthew Ganio, professor and head of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation at the University of Arkansas, was recently selected to be a fellow in the American Kinesiology Association's Leadership Institute.

The association introduced the Leadership Institute in 2019. The mentorship model includes a full year of training and networking for new department chairs, associate chairs, and emerging faculty leaders. Only 10 fellows are accepted into the program each year.

"I am honored and privileged to be selected for the class of 2022," Ganio said. "I am confident that the leadership development provided will improve and hone my ability to lead the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation here at the U of A."

Ganio joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions in 2011. A year later, he was named director of what is now called the Exercise Science Research Center. In 2017, Ganio left that position for the opportunity to lead the U of A Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. The department offers degree programs in exercise science — also known as kinesiology — public health, recreation and sport management, athletic training, and teaching K-12 physical education and health.

The 2022 AKA Leadership Institute cohort also includes: Rosa Angulo-Barroso, California State University-Northridge; Melissa Bopp, Penn State University; Eadric Bressel, Utah State University; Gregg Davis, University of Louisiana Lafayette; Derek Kingsley, Kent State University, Ting Liu, Texas State University; Greg Lott, Denison University; Joel Martin, George Mason University; Jenny O, California State University-East Bay; and Tao Zhang, University of North Texas.

The AKA promotes and enhances kinesiology as a unified field of study and its members are from kinesiology departments in colleges and universities across North America. The organization advocates for kinesiology and kinesiology departments, facilitating communication among faculty, and providing opportunities for educating and serving members.