Bailey Lis, M.S.A.
Bailey Lis, M.S.A. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Sport & Fitness Management at D’Youville University and a Ph.D. student at Troy University. With a Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College and extensive experience in both academia and the sports industry, Bailey brings a unique blend of practical and theoretical expertise to her teaching and research. Her work focuses on developing the next generation of sport and fitness professionals, emphasizing leadership, management, and operational excellence.
Bailey’s professional journey spans multiple roles in the sports and service industries, including over six years with the Buffalo Bills, where she has contributed in ticket operations, customer service, and event management. Additionally, she has served in human resources and staffing roles with The Arc Erie County New York and as an adjunct professor at Canisius University, where she gained experience mentoring students and developing curriculum focused on sport management and professional development.
Passionate about education and mentorship, Bailey is committed to fostering personal and professional growth in her students and colleagues. She combines her practical industry experience with academic insight to prepare students for success in competitive, dynamic environments. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her dedication to excellence, earning multiple honors including Dean’s List recognition with a 4.0 GPA and certification in harassment and discrimination prevention from the Buffalo Bills.
• Buffalo Bills logo
EVERFI Preventing Harassment and Discrimination: Gateway Training
• Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (NY) Training
• Troy University - PhD
• Canisius University - MSA
• Canisius University - BSSM
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - May 2022
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2021
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - May 2021
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2020
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - May 2020
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2019
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - May 2019
• ASEP Coaching Certification
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2018
• Dean’s List: 3.47 GPA
• Dean’s List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2017
• Dean's List: 3.9 GPA
• Dean's List with Special Distinction: 4.0 GPA - Dec 2016
• Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
• Over The Edge
• Canisius College
• Brian Moorman's P.U.N.T. Foundation
• Buffalo Beauts
• Bristol Home for Elderly Women
What do you attribute your success to?
Bailey attributes her success to initiative, persistence, mentorship, and a willingness to take calculated risks. She credits her ability to step forward despite self-doubt and to seek guidance from trusted mentors as key drivers in her rapid professional growth. Bailey’s primary areas of expertise include sport management, higher education instruction, academic leadership, student mentorship, and applied research. Her background uniquely blends professional sports operations with academia, allowing her to bring real-world industry insight into the classroom. Bailey brings nearly a decade of professional experience across sports management and higher education. Her career includes roles in collegiate and professional sports, adjunct teaching, nonprofit involvement, and her current position as a full-time professor while completing her PhD. One of Bailey’s most notable achievements is securing a full-time faculty position at D’Youville University at a young age, a milestone she considers both affirming and motivating. She also takes pride in her induction into the COSMA Honor Society and receiving a dissertation research grant, recognizing her academic excellence and leadership potential.Bailey currently serves as a full-time professor, where her responsibilities include teaching, curriculum development, grading, mentoring students, and serving on academic committees such as the Business Academic Progress Committee and the Academic Integrity Committee. In addition, she continues to work part-time with the Buffalo Bills, and is actively completing her PhD at Troy University, with a focus on dissertation research.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Bailey credits several influential mentors, including Dr. Sean O’Rourke and Dr. Nicole Sellers, who encouraged her to pursue her PhD and continue advancing professionally. She also values the guidance of a faculty mentor at her university who has supported her transition into full-time academia and future family planning.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Bailey advises young women to take chances before they feel fully ready. She emphasizes that women often overqualify themselves due to self-doubt and encourages them to apply for opportunities, trust their preparation, and step into roles confidently. A guiding mantra she shares is about recognizing when you are in the right place at the right time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Bailey identifies a key challenge in higher education as balancing heavy workloads with long-term research and personal life commitments. However, she sees strong opportunity in mentorship-driven leadership, applied learning, and bridging industry experience with academia, particularly in sport management education.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Bailey values integrity, growth, accountability, and balance. She is deeply committed to academic honesty, student success, and professional excellence, while also prioritizing personal milestones and long-term life planning.
Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time with her pets, including her cat and dog, and is actively planning her upcoming wedding. She values organization and routine, which help her manage a demanding schedule that spans teaching, research, and professional sports work.