Kent State’s Faculty Athletics Representative

Dear Members of the Kent State University Community,

I am writing to inform you that Kathy Wilson, Ph.D., Kent State’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), is completing her service as FAR after devoting 18 years to the position. Dr. Wilson, who joined Kent State in 1996, will continue her role as chair and professor of economics in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

It is with deep gratitude that I thank Dr. Wilson for her steadfast advocacy for student-athletes and staff during her long-standing role as FAR. Dr. Wilson’s exemplary service and unwavering leadership will leave an indelible imprint on Kent State’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for years to come.

In her role as FAR, Wilson’s duties included ensuring the academic integrity of intercollegiate athletics, facilitating an inclusive environment and enhancing the student-athlete experience. Among many things, she ensured that we honored our Students First mission and consistently verified that we had procedures in place that comply with NCAA and Mid-American Conference regulations. She led the athletics climate study to identify areas of improvement and spearheaded the creation of our Play as One Strategic Plan.

With great appreciation, I thank you, Dr. Wilson, for making us better during your tenure as FAR. I wish you all the best in your continued service at Kent State.

Theresa Walton-Fisette, Ph.D., a professor and researcher in the Sport Administration program in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, will succeed Dr. Wilson as Kent State’s next FAR. Her role as Kent State’s FAR will begin July 1. She will continue her role as professor and researcher in the Sport Administration program.

Dr. Walton-Fisette joined Kent State’s faculty in 2003. She has a long history of commitment to work with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She has served on the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee since 2006 with several stints as the chair. She worked on the Intercollegiate Athletics Equity Committee to engage in self-study of the athletics department (2012-2013 and 2019-2020) as well as the Intercollegiate Athletics Equity and Inclusiveness Working Group (2015). She has served as a member of the university’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee (2008-2012 and 2018). She was a member of the Director of Athletics Search Committee (2021) and participated in the Intercollegiate Athletics Strategic Planning Committee on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Working Group.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Walton-Fisette in her new role as FAR. We look forward to working with her to ensure student success in intercollegiate athletics.

Sincerely,

Todd Diacon
President