Student Initiatives
The North American Society for Sport Management’s (NASSM) Student Initiatives act on behalf of the student population across North America during the year and is their voice at Executive Council meetings leading up to each NASSM conference. The board organizes and hosts a meeting for all student delegates to attend during the annual conference with the purpose of ensuring each NASSM conference offers a positive social environment for networking, professional development sessions and workshops where students can meet, interact with and learn from practitioners and professors in the field. Click below to learn more about the different student initiatives.
NASSM Student Initiatives Committee →
NASSM Student Initiatives Committee Positions →
Faculty-Student Mentor Program →
Student Engagement Initiative →
Student Conference Resources →
Student Career Resources →
Student Initiatives Committee
Social - Enzo F. Ferreira
Enzo F. Ferreira is a 2nd-year PhD Student in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (specialization in Sport & Recreation Management) at Clemson University. His research focuses mainly on the safety and security of sporting events, scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in Sport Management, and related cultural aspects.
Research - Nathan Merkel
Hello! My name is Nathan Merkel, I am a 2nd year PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My research interests include (but not limited to) sport fandom loyalty conceptualization, psychological factors if/when that loyalty is tested/severed, potential sociological factors associated with sport fandom loyalty, and all things franchise relocation! I love going to CrossFit in the mornings and have a dog named Tucker. Looking forward to meeting and working with everyone!
Outreach - Xinyi Yang
My name is Xinyi Yang, and I’m honored to serve as the Student Initiatives Committee Outreach Representative this year. I am a third-year PhD student in Sport Management at Temple University, where my research explores sports marketing and fan behavior in cross-cultural contexts. Drawing on my background in the sports media industry, I aim to connect research and practice through mixed-method and interdisciplinary approaches to better understand international sport consumption and fan engagement.
Diversity Committee Rep - Wenyuan Yu
Hi, I’m a second-year PhD student at the University of Michigan, working with Dr. NaRi Shin. My research explores minoritized identity formation in sport participation, using an intersectional lens. As a D&I Student Representative, I’m passionate about making NASSM a welcoming space for student members from all backgrounds. I would love to connect personally or professionally, so feel free to reach out at yuwy@umich.edu!
Marketing and Communications Committee Rep - Junseok Kim
Junseok Kim is a Ph.D. student in Sport Management at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on sport marketing, sport consumer behavior, sport consumer psychology, and sport memorabilia consumption. He currently serves as a Student Representative on the NASSM Marketing and Communication Committee and is also a Student Representative for the Korean American Association for Sport Management (KAASM).
President - Rafael Rocha
Rafael Rocha is a Doctoral Candidate in Sport Management at Texas A&M University, where his research focuses on sport ecology, sustainability, and sport marketing. Rafael serves as President of the NASSM Student Initiatives Committee and holds a seat on the NASSM Governing Body. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Rafa brings a strong industry background to his academic work. He was Marketing Manager at Bracco International, where he led the Brazilian stage of the Motocross World Championship, and later directed the Brazilian division of UK-based agency Ear to the Ground. He has also worked and collaborated with major brands such as Nike, Manchester City, PokerStars, New Balance, UEFA, and the Football Association, with expertise in sponsorship, fan engagement, and brand strategy. A lifelong sports enthusiast, his favorite sports include soccer, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, surfing, and basketball. Email: rafaelrocha@tamu.edu / rafabizz@gmail.com. Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/rafabizz
Sustainability Committee Rep - Berk Uzun
Berk Uzun, BSc, MSc, is a civil engineer and fourth-year PhD candidate at the University of Florida. He holds a master of science degree in Disaster Management with Public Administration minor. He worked as a chief investigator for 15 years in governmental organizations like the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. He is also a national delegation of the European Union Anti-Fraud Office. He served as the Vice President of the Inspection Board and a discipline committee member of the Turkish Muay Thai Sport Federation. His research interest is mainly Sport Ecology; sustainability practices in sport facilities and events. He practices spatial and temporal analysis techniques using ArcGIS and big data.
NASSM Student Initiatives Committee Positions
Each year, four students are elected to serve on NASSM’s Student Initiatives Committee and one student per Standing Committee is elected to represent the student members on the respective standing committee. These positions make up the Student Board. Students are elected to serve in their positions for one year. Below is a list of job descriptions for student officer positions within NASSM.
Student Initiatives Committee President
Organizes and leads the Student Social at the NASSM Conference
Works with the Conference Committee on additional student-focused events
Develops and lead at least one student-focused engagement session
Student Initiatives Committee Social Representative
Organizes and leads the Student Social at the NASSM Conference
Works with the Conference Committee on additional student-focused events
Develops and lead at least one student-focused engagement session
Student Initiatives Committee Research Representative
Plans and leads the Student Symposium at the annual NASSM Conference
Works to solicit research-focused blog posts from student members for the NASSM website
Develops and leads at least one student-focused engagement session
Student Initiatives Committee Outreach Representative
Plans and implements the Student-Faculty Mentorship Initiative
Plans and implements a roommate-matching service for students attending the NASSM conference
Works with the Marketing and Communications Committee Representative to promote student initiatives to the broader membership
Develops and leads at least one student-focused engagement session
Student Representatives on NASSM Standing Committees
Works with the Student Initiatives Committee to implement student-focused initiatives.
Participates in scheduled student initiatives throughout the calendar year.
Provides feedback, direction, and assistance in carrying out the initiatives.
Acts as the student members’ voice on their respective standing committee.
Supports their standing committee through executing assigned responsibilities.
Serves as an informational resource for students.
Faculty-Student Mentor Program
Each year, prior to the annual NASSM conference, the NASSM student board facilitates a faculty-student mentor program. This program matches students with faculty mentors who share research interests, career goals, or who can offer other support throughout a students’ graduate school journey. First, faculty members are asked to volunteer for the initiative, then students have the opportunity to register and indicate their interests and needs. Pairings are generally sent out in March or April prior to the conference, and pairs are encouraged to stay in touch throughout the academic year. Information about how to register will be shared via NASSM’s communication channels in March of each year.
Student Engagement Initiative
Your NASSM Student Board is excited to continue the NASSM Student Engagement Initiative! We have heard from many students that they were keen to have more opportunities to engage with other NASSM students throughout the year. In 2020, the NASSM student board began working on new programming, and the NASSM Student Engagement Initiative was created. The goal of the Student Engagement Initiative is to offer students professional development sessions and social throughout the year instead of only at the annual NASSM conference.
One session will be hosted each month from September to May. Sessions will each focus on a different topic relevant to sport management students and NASSM student members. The date and time of each session, along with additional information and a registration link, will be announced 2-4 weeks in advance via NASSM’s communication channels. We ask that students please pre-register so that we can plan accordingly (sessions are free to attend).
Student Conference Resources
Students have additional opportunities to get involved in NASSM through the annual conference. Unparalleled opportunities to interact with faculty from across North America and internationally are particularly helpful for those doctoral students who will be job searching upon degree completion. Students gain additional exposure through conference presentations, which provide opportunities for students to share their research with others and to practice presentation skills. If you have any questions about the conference, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of our current Student Board.
Hotel Information
There are typically several hotels within walking distance to the conference host hotel. Students are welcome to register at the host hotel at a discounted rate, or they may choose to stay at another hotel as a cost-saving option. If you would like to inquire about roommates, please reach out to a member of the Student Board and we will try to pair you with another student.
Meal Information
Your registration covers three meals during the NASSM conference (the Student Luncheon, the President Luncheon, and the Zeigler Award Banquet). These conference functions are great for saving money and also for socializing. See the conference event schedule for more information.
Student Symposium
At each NASSM conference, the NASSM student board hosts various events for the student membership. These include a Student Symposium, Student Social and Student Luncheon. For more information about each of these activities, keep your eye out for communication via email and Twitter prior to each annual conference.
Student Social
At each NASSM conference, the NASSM student board hosts various events for the student membership. These include a Student Symposium, Student Social and Student Luncheon. For more information about each of these activities, keep your eye out for communication via email and Twitter prior to each annual conference.
Student Luncheon
At each NASSM conference, the NASSM student board hosts various events for the student membership. These include a Student Symposium, Student Social and Student Luncheon. For more information about each of these activities, keep your eye out for communication via email and Twitter prior to each annual conference.
Student Career Resources
Students have additional opportunities to get involved in NASSM through the annual conference. Unparalleled opportunities to interact with faculty from across North America and internationally are particularly helpful for those doctoral students who will be job searching upon degree completion. Students gain additional exposure through conference presentations, which provide opportunities for students to share their research with others and to practice presentation skills. If you have any questions about the conference, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of our current Student Board.
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