Kathryn Rosie Lanphere

I attribute my success to perseverance, bravery, and a willingness to take chances throughout my educational journey.

The best career advice I have ever received is to be kind to everyone you work with, because you will inevitably need help in ways you never expected. Kindness and respect build relationships that sustain you throughout your career. I’ve also learned not to take myself too seriously, to stay humble, grounded, and approachable. And perhaps most importantly, I try to choose my battles wisely. Not every challenge requires a fight, and knowing when to step back can make all the difference in maintaining balance and perspective.

The field of exercise science has historically been male‑dominated; however, when I look at my classrooms today, I am encouraged to see that more than half of my students are women. It is an exciting and transformative time to be a woman who loves sport, fitness, and human performance. The sport industry is increasingly recognizing that women are not only enthusiastic participants but also highly competitive athletes, and interest in women’s sports and fitness competitions continues to grow in both visibility and support.

We know that girls who participate in sports often become women who lead, with research consistently showing strong connections between athletic participation, confidence, leadership skills, and long‑term career success. Because of this, I wholeheartedly recommend the field of exercise science to any woman who has a passion for sport, fitness, recreation, physical activity, or movement. It is a field that offers deep rewards, physically, mentally, and socially, and provides a meaningful pathway for women to thrive, lead, and make a lasting impact.

The biggest challenge our field is currently facing is how to manage smart, sustainable growth. Interest in exercise science has increased exponentially since the 1980s, particularly within higher education, and this rapid expansion has brought both opportunities and responsibilities. As more students enter kinesiology programs and more institutions develop exercise science degrees, it has become critically important to focus on the quality of these programs.

Moving forward, our field needs to prioritize rigorous standards, strong accreditation processes, and evidence‑based curricula. Equally important is ensuring that the professionals working with the public—whether in strength and conditioning, fitness, health promotion, or human performance—are individuals who have truly studied kinesiology and understand the science of safe, effective human movement. As the demand for exercise specialists grows, protecting the integrity of the discipline and the safety of the public must remain at the forefront of our efforts.

The values that resonate most deeply with me in my role are courage and the commitment to uplifting others, particularly the students I teach. I believe that courage in academia often means speaking up, advocating for our department, our profession, and the importance of higher education. Whether I am in a room with peers or administrators, I see it as part of my responsibility to use my voice to support meaningful change and ensure that student learning remains at the center of our decisions.

Just as important to me is the ability to elevate those around me. My hope is to uplift students, colleagues, and community members by leading through example, demonstrating positivity, fairness, and integrity in all aspects of my work. I want students to feel supported, colleagues to feel valued, and future professionals to see what compassionate leadership looks like within our field. By fostering an environment grounded in encouragement and respect, I aim to help others recognize their strengths and reach their full potential.