Kyriaki “Kiki” Kaplanidou, Ph.D., professor in the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Sport Management, has been announced as chair of the Department of Sport Management. Beginning July 1, Kaplanidou will lead the department to even greater academic excellence and industry influence.  

“Dr. Kaplanidou brings long-time expertise in global sport events and will be instrumental in advancing the department’s research and teaching mission,” said Dean Michael Reid. “Under her leadership, she will further our college’s impact in the ever-evolving sport landscape and enhance industry opportunities for our students.”

“It is an honor to be offered the opportunity to lead the Department of Sport Management at such a great institution as the University of Florida,” Kaplanidou said. “I strongly believe in the capabilities of this excellent team of researchers, instructional faculty, staff and students. I look forward to charting new territories with our team that advances our reputation in teaching and research globally.”

Kaplanidou joined UF in 2007 from the University of Windsor, Canada, where she served as an instructor in the Faculty of Human Kinetics. Since joining UF, Kaplanidou has served as an assistant and associate professor in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, and after 2019, as professor in the Department of Sport Management. Kaplanidou also served as the assistant dean of faculty and staff affairs for the College of Health and Human Performance from 2019-2021. Kaplanidou currently serves as the graduate coordinator for the Department of Sport Management and as the director of the Graduate Sport Event Management certificate. In addition, Kaplanidou holds an affiliate faculty position in the Center for Greek Studies.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports science from Aristotle University in Greece and her master’s in recreation management from Loughborough University in the U.K. Additionally, she received her doctorate in park, recreation and tourism resources from Michigan State University.

Kaplanidou’s research interests include exploring the impacts and legacies of sport events, like the Olympics, on communities. Specifically, she studies how residents perceive these impacts and whether they support the event when they recognize quality-of-life benefits in their community. Her research also explores how the holistic sport event experience influences sport event participants’ intentions to continue exercising and participate in future events.

The search for the new department chair was led by Jalie A. Tucker, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor in the Department of Health Education & Behavior.

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