{"id":254646,"date":"2026-10-22T10:15:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T14:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=254646"},"modified":"2026-10-22T10:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T14:36:55","slug":"uconn-kinesiology-phd-program-ranked-no-1-in-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/10\/uconn-kinesiology-phd-program-ranked-no-1-in-country\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn Kinesiology Ph.D. Program Ranked No. 1 in Country"},"content":{"rendered":"

UConn\u2019s Ph.D. program in the Department of Kinesiology<\/a> has come out at the top of this year\u2019s National Academy of Kinesiology\u2019s (NAK) doctoral program evaluation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a tremendous recognition for the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students,\u201d says Laurie Devaney, professor and department head of kinesiology.<\/p>\n

The Department of Kinesiology is located within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources<\/a> (CAHNR).<\/p>\n

The NAK is a member-based organization composed of elected fellows who have made sustained and distinguished contributions to the discipline through research activity, as well as policy advocacy or education, over an extended period. This year, Elaine Choung-Hee Lee, professor of kinesiology at UConn, was inducted as a fellow. Board of Trustees Distinguished Professors of Kinesiology Douglas Casa and Linda Pescatello are both NAK fellows as well.<\/p>\n

\"Teacher
Laurie Devaney, head of UConn’s Department of Kinesiology, works with students in the Kinesiology Building (KB). July 21, 2026. (Jason Sheldon\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThese awards are about being recognized by our peers for doing work in the field,\u201d Pescatello says. \u201cThat alone makes this award stand out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The semiannual ranking of doctoral programs is primarily based on faculty research productivity and mentorship of doctoral students. This includes number of publications, journal editorships, funding, research dissemination through presentations, and invited talks. The report also tracks the graduation rate of Ph.D. students, where these students go after graduation, and how they contribute to the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really about the important outcomes of discovery, dissemination, and training the next generation of kinesiologists,\u201d Devaney says.<\/p>\n

The rankings are adjusted for faculty size. At the time of the evaluation, UConn\u2019s program had 10 faculty members.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that we\u2019re able to have this level of productivity, success, and impact is a real recognition of the outstanding faculty and staff that we have. This type of outsized impact is a remarkable accomplishment,\u201d Devaney says.<\/p>\n

UConn\u2019s program has been in the top 10 since the rankings began in 2000, and in the top three for all but one cycle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a reflection of sustained excellence within the department,\u201d Pescatello says. \u201cNot only does it increase the perception of prestige of our department, it\u2019s another accomplishment for the University. It substantiates how hard we work to compete with the biggest and best programs in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Devaney says receiving this recognition will help the program maintain its excellence and continue to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a [recognition] of academic excellence, which is really important for us in continuing to recruit students, engage with industry, and ultimately have access to the resources we need to have a greater impact,\u201d Devaney says.<\/p>\n

Pescatello says the announcement of the ranking has already garnered increased interest from prospective graduate students.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be recognized for giving back excellence to the University that has done so much for you is an extremely rewarding feeling, and this award does signify that,\u201d Pescatello says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This work relates to CAHNR\u2019s Strategic Vision area focused on\u00a0<\/em>Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Follow\u00a0<\/em>UConn CAHNR<\/em><\/a>\u00a0on social media<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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