02/25/2025
A 20-year faculty member and the chair of one of SUNY Cortland’s largest academic departments has been named dean of the university’s School of Professional Studies.
Professor Katherine Polasek, chair of the university’s Kinesiology Department, earned the promotion to dean following a national search. She begins her duties Thursday, July 3.
“This opportunity is well-deserved, and it reflects Kate’s wealth of knowledge, her leadership experience and the respect she has earned from colleagues within the School of Professional Studies,” said Ann McClellan, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “For nearly two decades, Kate has developed a reputation at SUNY Cortland as a leader who brings people together — always working to ensure that our institutional efforts support faculty development and student success.”
SUNY Cortland’s School of Professional Studies includes six highly visible academic departments spanning disciplines related to health, recreation, sport and well-being. Departments include Communication Disorders and Sciences; Health; Kinesiology; Physical Education; Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies; and Sport Management. In the Fall 2024 semester, the school enrolled more than 2,300 undergraduates and more than 300 graduate students in its programs.
“Meeting the needs of our students is central to the mission of SUNY Cortland, and this goal has helped inspire my most important work,” Polasek said. “I’m proud to serve a university that affords diverse learning experiences for all campus community members, helping them grow as engaged citizens with a strong social conscience. I’m excited to continue these efforts, to collaborate across the campus and to provide rich academic opportunities for our students and faculty, especially those in the School of Professional Studies.”
Since 2020, Polasek has served as chair of the Kinesiology Department, which includes roughly 750 students across four undergraduate majors and two graduate programs. She has guided the collective effort of more than 30 faculty and staff colleagues, helping to support a department culture that strives for academic excellence, encourages professional development and reflects the diversity of the world.
With a main research interest in sport and exercise psychology, Polasek’s scholarship includes refereed publications and professional presentations that cross disciplines within the School of Professional Studies, from kinesiology to physical education to sport management. Under her direction, the university’s Kinesiology Department has reallocated two priority research spaces, including a human performance laboratory, to promote interdisciplinary research among undergraduate and graduate students.
Polasek also has worked to support colleagues through the tenure and promotion process, strengthen curriculum through assessment practices and expand articulation agreements for graduate school opportunities. These include a recently approved accelerated five-year program in applied kinesiology and athletic training.
Polasek’s service has contributed to many important programs and initiatives across campus, including chair’s roles on the University Curriculum Review Committee, the School of Professional Studies Personnel Committee and the Educational Policy Committee. Her recognition includes the university’s 2016 Excellence in Academic Advising Award.
Polasek earned a B.S. in kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park; an M.S. in kinesiology from the University of Illinois, Chicago; and a Ph.D. in kinesiology, specializing in sport and exercise psychology, from Temple University. She joined SUNY Cortland as a visiting assistant professor in 2005, before being named assistant professor (2006) and earning promotions to associate professor (2012) and professor (2018).
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Lynn MacDonald, who has served as interim dean since 2023, will continue in her role until her retirement in June.
“Lynn’s leadership and dedication has helped guide the School of Professional Studies for many years,” McClellan said. “Her service to SUNY Cortland remains a model for all to follow.”