Jennifer McGarry, PhD

Professor (PI)

Department of Educational Leadership

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Executive Director, Husky Sport

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Research Overview

My research focus has been on barriers and supports for women and minorities in sport. I have published 9 articles and 1 book chapter focusing on African American females in college athletics and 10 articles and 1 book chapter on the experiences of collegiate women coaches and athletic administrators. Through this focus on barriers and supports for women and minorities, a natural offshoot of my work has been further investigations in the role of mentoring and the development of mentoring programs. As a result, I developed, and continue to direct, a sport based youth development program, Husky Sport, that connects UConn students, faculty and staff with youth ages 5-18 and their families, teachers, and other supportive adults. While running Husky Sport, I have expanded my research to examine the role of sport as a developmental tool for health and education outcomes, experiences of youth in sport programs, the experiences of college student mentors in these programs, and lastly, the management of such programs. This line of inquiry has accounted for another 11 publications (8 articles and 3 book chapters).

Over the next 5-10 years I plan to continue to focus on the role of sport in building supportive, healthy environments for women and minorities, as well as its role in breaking down barriers. In particular, I will continue to work with my former doctoral students, now colleagues, to investigate structures and management strategies that aid in the development and sustainability of sport based programs.

Education

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Columbus, OH
Ph.D.: Sport Management Cognate: Sociology March, 2000
Dissertation: Phenomenal Women: Stereotypes, Socialization, and Strategies for Change in the Sport Participation of African American Females

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY Morehead, KY
MA: English Literature August, 1994

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Notre Dame, IN
BA: English with Honors Minor: Secondary Education May, 1992

Recent/Selected Publications

Research Gate