UW Center for Leadership in Athletics

Meet Our Faculty

Our IAL faculty members are talented, committed, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. Our instructors inspire inquisitive minds and nurture independent thinkers

Anne Browning Head Shot - Anne D. Browning

Dr. Anne Browning

Assistant Dean for Well-Being, University of Washington School of Medicine - UW Medicine

Tell us about yourself.

I’m broadly interested in how we foster and maintain well-being so that we can perform at high levels and live meaningful lives. My work has looked at resilience, brain health, self-compassion, and holistic well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been working to support our health care team members and our communities. Outside of work, I support global equity-based programs through the Atlantic Institute.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

I love learning from the students. The different perspectives and experiences that everyone brings to our class each year helps deepen my own understanding of the world.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Give yourself a lot of grace through the ups and downs of life. To quote Kipling, “meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.”

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Dr. Ed deHaan

Associate Professor, Foster School of Business

Tell us about yourself.

Most weekends you’ll find me skiing or trail running.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Great students!

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Get the most out of your M.Ed. program while you are here. Few students ever look back on their graduate program and think “I wish I had paid less attention,” but a lot look back and think the opposite!

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Dr. Hannah Olson

Director - UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, Teaching Associate, UW College of Education

Tell us about yourself.

Career across different levels of sport (youth, collegiate, & professional) but found my home in higher education. In addition to teaching courses, my role within the IAL program is to support the student experience from interest in the program through alumni engagement. Outside of IAL, I teach undergraduate courses, drive coach development initiatives, and provide oversight for our Center. Current hobbies include raising my two kiddos to be nice humans in this world, with some recreational sports and hiking on the side.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Tapping into the passion and excitement of our students; watching their intellectual and professional growth.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Do the small things well.

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Dr. Heidi Nordstrom

Academic Advisor - University of Washington Student Athlete Academic Services

Tell us about yourself.

Heidi joined UW’s Student-Athlete Academic Services staff in June of 2020.

Heidi is originally from Washington and currently works as an academic advisor for the Women’s Rowing and Women’s Basketball teams. Prior to her current position, she was at the University of New Mexico serving in a similar advising role.

Heidi was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Pacific Lutheran University from 2018-2019 and was an assistant professor in the Sport Management program at Gonzaga University from 2013-2018. Heidi also had carers in outdoor recreation and K-12 education.

Heidi has a passion for working with student-athletes and assisting them with their academic, career, and personal goals.

For hobbies Heidi enjoys spending time with family as well as hiking, backpacking, and supporting the local UW and Seattle sport teams!

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

I enjoy connecting with students and assisting them in their journey to find their career within athletics.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Be open to opportunities when looking for internships or jobs. Even though you may have a specific career field in mind, take a look at other areas as well. Also, remember every moment is an opportunity to learn from everyone around you, no matter their title.

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Dr. Jennifer Hoffman

Faculty, UW IAL Program

Tell us about yourself.

Scholar of intercollegiate athletics & higher education; witness to the amazing reach and the deeply entrenched challenges of colleges and universities; still curious about why are there so few Power 5 women athletic directors.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Hearing from students every year about their ideas for the future of college sports.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

It’s a quick, action-packed program and profession – dive in whole-heartedly when you can, rejuvenate when you need to.

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Jimmy Bowen

Sports Business Analyst - UW Athletics

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a small town in Maryland and attended Penn State University, where I was a head manager for the Nittany Lion men’s basketball team. I’ve always enjoyed being part of a sports team — even if it’s behind the scenes — and I moved out to Seattle to join the IAL Program in the summer of 2011 to pursue a career in athletics. After a year of internships, I was hired as the Director of Operations for the Washington women’s volleyball and gymnastics programs, a position I held for four years before being promoted to a new role in our athletic department. I currently serve as the Sports Business Analyst for UW Athletics, a role in which I help build our business intelligence reporting and assist our fundraising, ticketing, and executive leadership teams on using data to make decisions! In my free time, I enjoy hanging with my new puppy Wendy, playing a variety of games with my friends, and shopping for retro Seahawks gear. Go Dawgs!

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

I love giving back to the IAL Program. As a grad of the 2012 Cohort, I have great appreciation for what the program has done for my professional development and growth. Each cohort seems to have many similarities to mine from 2012 — an eagerness to learn, gain exposure in the sports industry, and pursue a jo in athletics. I love being able to help our students in these areas!

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Some of the best traits I see in IAL students include taking initiative, asking thoughtful questions, and having gratitude for their classmates!

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Dr. Joe Lott

College of Education

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, La. I’m an associate professor in the College of Education at the UW. I love reading, hiking, and watching the stock market.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Your attitude determines your altitude.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

It’s a quick, action-packed program and profession – dive in whole-heartedly when you can, rejuvenate when you need to.

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Kimya Massey

Senior Associate Athletic Director--Oregon State University

Tell us about yourself.

I have been in athletics for almost 20 years now, working in academic support and S-A Development for a few different institutions. I love my job and working to help student-athletes figure out life after sport. My hobbies are hiking all over the Pacific Northwest, hanging out with my partner and our three dogs! We love exploring and traveling and just learning more about our world and how we can impact it in a positive way

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Getting to know future athletic administrators and coaches! Really awesome to see the passion and energy!

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Create a strong internal value system; know who your authentic self is!

Marsa Daniel Headshot

Marsa Daniel

Teaching Associate - University of Washington College of Education

Tell us about yourself.

Background in exercise physiology and endurance sport coaching. Hobbies: getting out to explore PNW rivers and mountains; spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen with family and good tunes.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

Seeing students light up when they begin learning something new that interests them.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

There’s a quote I love by Annie Dillard: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Create space each day to fully take in and appreciate the joys of the people and world around you. This takes effort and intention in the digital age, but our health and well-being depend on it.

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Polo Decano

Instructor - University of Washington

Tell us about yourself.

I am a Father, a Husband, a Son, a Brother, an Uncle–I believe deeply that the endeavor of sport participation is a powerful means to experience a wide range of emotions and feelings and can lead to tremendous personal growth.

I currently work for Seattle Public Schools as a Consulting Teacher and a member of the Restorative Practices and Justice Program Team.Through my collective body of work I have developed a deep understanding of principle elements of resilience and, more recently, have focused on racial equity and systems-change.

I love to play and compete; to make routine and great plays and to have fun–still.I’m a multisport athlete with injuries that shaped my athletic journey.

What is your favorite part about instructing IAL classes?

My favorite part about instructing an IAL class is the opportunity to engage with amazing educators/coaches. I love to learn from the students in the course and to engage with them as they grow. Learning how coaches engage in their craft to support the growth of their athletes across the weeks of the course is immensely rewarding.

If you could share one piece of advice with students, what would it be?

Focus on putting forth your best effort and let the struggle help you grow. Struggle is temporary, and it assures growth; the effort invested will be a part of that struggle and will determine how much growth happens. Enjoy the process.