Dr. Paul Batista, J.D.
International Experience
Educational Background
- B.S., Business AdministrationTrinity University
- J.D., LawBaylor University Law School
Paul J. Batista, J.D., was appointed Texas A&M Faculty Athletics Representative by former University President Michael Young effective September 1, 2016, and continues to serve under Interim President Mark A. Welsh. As such, he is the University representative to the SEC and NCAA. In 2022 he was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the SEC.
He is an Associate Professor in the Sport Management Division of the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, serving two terms as Division Chair and Associate Department Head. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Baylor Law School in 1976, and his B.S. in Business Administration from Trinity University in 1973. In 2013 he earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in European Sports Law and Policy presented by the Faculty of Law, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Prior to joining the Texas A&M faculty full time in 1998, he engaged in the private practice of law in Caldwell, Texas. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1993, licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1977, is a certified Mediator and Arbitrator, and has been elected a Life Fellow in the Texas Bar Foundation. He also served as County Judge of Burleson County, Texas, from 1995-98.
He has taught the Legal Aspects of Sport classes to both undergraduate and graduate students at Texas A&M since 1991. In 2015 he was presented with the Texas A&M Bush Excellence Award for Faculty in International Teaching by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation. He has also received the Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching, the Student Led Award for Teaching Excellence, and has been named a Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar. His teaching evaluations average 4.93 on a 5-point scale.
He is a member and Past-President of the Sport and Recreation Law Association, and was named a member of the inaugural class of Research Fellows. In 2015 he was named the recipient of the Betty van der Smissen Leadership Award, the highest award presented by the Sport and Recreation Law Association. His primary research interest is sports related liability issues in school settings, with particular emphasis on First Amendment religion and free speech issues. Since 2000, he has authored 35 publications and delivered almost 100 research presentations at numerous conferences, continuing legal education seminars, and Law Schools throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia and South Korea.
He is a former NCAA Division I scholarship baseball athlete. During his active law practice, he represented professional athletes and was certified as a Contract Advisor by the National Football League Players Association for almost 12 years before accepting a full-time position at A&M. He continues his involvement in these activities as a member of the Faculty Athletics Council, the A&M Pro Sports Panel, which advises student-athletes preparing for a career as a professional athlete, and teaches a class relating to the athlete agent business.
He also organized and each summer leads the 5-week Sport Business in Europe study abroad to Germany and Austria.
Becky Geyer
Capstone Experience - Business Project
Educational Background
- M.S., Education, Concentration:Adapted Physical Education
- B.S., Physical Education, Minors:English and Coaching
Becky Geyer joined the faculty of Texas A&M University in 2022 as a Professor of the Practice in the Sport Management department.
Her role focuses on creating and developing the Capstone Experience program. This work includes fostering partnership opportunities that ensure hands-on learning experiences for Sport Management students.
Before devoting her work full-time to Texas A&M, Geyer served as a career mentor, basketball coach, and leader in the area of personal and program development. She led Trinity University (Texas) to the 2003 NCAA Division III National Championship. In her time there as Women's Basketball Head Coach, she held a career record of 229-107 (.682), breaking the school record for wins and winning percentage.
Respected by her peers, Geyer was a two-time Molten Division III National Coach of the Year and was the 2003 San Antonio Express-News Sportswoman of the Year. Her NCAA Championship Team was inducted into the 2013 Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame. Geyer earned an induction in her own right to the 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since coaching at Trinity, Geyer has amassed depth and breadth of experience at both the high school and the NCAA Division I level, as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Jacksonville State University (Alabama), as a basketball assistant at University of Central Florida, as well as the US Naval Academy, and finally in a 9-year stint as a high school Athletic Director. In every case, Geyer brings a blend of consistent work ethic and innovation to the programs she works with--building success in facilities, resources, and people.
Dr. Jim Guinn
Capstone Experience - Entrepreneurial
Educational Background
- Ed.D., Organizational LeadershipAbilene Christian University
- M.A., Conflict ResolutionAbilene Christian University
- BBA., Business ManagementAbilene Christian University
Jim Guinn is an instructional professor in the Sports Management department at Texas A&M University. Dr. Guinn played football and baseball for Abilene Christian University and specializes in conflict resolution and leadership development. He has trained Fortune 100 executives, professional sports teams, and educational leaders in multiple countries. Jim currently serves on the Brazos board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He serves as the Director of the Brazos Valley Dispute Resolution Center, a non-profit serving families in Brazos and contiguous counties. He lives in College Station, TX, with his wife and two beautiful daughters.
Dr. Shane Hudson
Internship
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Human Resource DevelopmentTexas A&M University
- M.S., Curriculum and InstructionOklahoma State University
- B.S., Physical EducationOklahoma State University
Shane Hudson, Ph.D., was promoted to Clinical Professor of Sport Management at Texas A&M in August 2017. Dr. Hudson had served the previous nine years as an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor.
He earned his doctoral degree from Texas A&M in 2007, with a major in Human Resource Development. Since that time, Dr. Hudson has held numerous positions in the Division of Sport Management and Department of Health and Kinesiology. Currently, he is the Undergraduate Coordinator for Sport Management; the Director of the Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics; as well as the Internship and Outreach Coordinator.
A current outreach/internship program he supervises is the NCAA Football Championship Series since 2015.
“My research areas lie in performance and organizational development,” Dr. Hudson says. “My primary interests are in intercollegiate athletics, and, more specifically, organizational change for the purpose of improving performance in student-athletes. I subscribe to effective performance models in intercollegiate athletics, and psychometric prediction of athletic performance.”
Dr. Hudson is the author of “The Process: A Guide for Career Seekers in the Wonderful World of Sports,” Skyepack, Custom Digital Course Materials. He is co-author of “Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity.”
Among his professional affiliations are memberships in the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) and the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA).
He has been honored by Texas A&M on numerous occasions, including the appointment as “Aggies Commit to Transforming Lives Faculty Fellow” in 2015. He was named Teacher of the Year in the Division of Sport Management in 2009 and received the accolade of Professor of Excellence the same year.
Dr. Hudson’s study abroad experience includes the field of sports business in Munich and Bonn, Germany, in 2014 and 2015. He also studied Olympic history in Athens, Greece, in 2017.
Kayla Jones
Internship
Educational Background
- M.S., Sport ManagementTexas A&M University
- B.S., KinesiologyTexas A&M University
Professor Kayla Jones obtained a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University in 2009 while also obtaining her EC-12 Teaching Certificate.
Professor Jones then completed her Master of Science Degree in Sport Management. During her graduate education, Professor Jones interned with the Texas A&M Football team and the Texas A&M Soccer team in Operations. During this time, she was also a Graduate Assistant for the Sport Management program where her responsibilities included support for SPMT 481: Collegiate Athletics, the Undergraduate Internship Program, and the Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics. Upon graduation, she was a teacher and coach at Westbury Christian School. In the classroom, Professor Jones worked with students ages 3-12 and was also the Varsity Softball Coach, JV Volleyball and Basketball Coach, and Middle School Volleyball Coach.
Professor Jones returned to Texas A&M in 2016 and has worked in administrative and lecturer roles for the Sport Management Program. In her role, she has helped re-develop the Undergraduate Curriculum, is the Sport Management Undergraduate Associate Internship Coordinator, and has instructed SPMT 482-Professional Writing Seminar, SPMT 422- Sport Finance, SPMT 295- Intro to Culminating Experience, and KINE 199- Handball. Professor Jones is passionate about preparing students to be leaders in the sport industry.
Dr. Paul Keiper
International Experience
Educational Background
- Ed.D., Physical EducationTexas A&M University
- M.Ed., Sport AdministrationNorthwestern State University
- B.A., Secondary Business EducationConcordia University
Dr. Paul Keiper has been a key member of the Sport Management program at Texas A&M University since 2008. He currently serves as the Sport Management Program Chair, Distance Education MS Program Coordinator, and Clinical Associate Professor. He teaches classes in Sport Management, Human Capital Management, Olympic Studies, Research Methods, and Personnel Management.
Before joining the faculty of Texas A&M, Dr. Keiper was a high school teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal for over 18 years. He coached various sports at different levels, with his first coaching job in fifth and sixth-grade boys basketball. The experience led him to coach girls and boys sports, including basketball, softball, and football.
Dr. Keiper’s research interests include youth sport and the Olympics. He has had the opportunity to see and learn about the Olympic sites in Greece, London, and Berlin.
Dr. Mark LaSota
International Experience
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Sport AdministrationThe University of New Mexico
- M.B.A., International BusinessNew Mexico Highlands University
- M.A., Sport PsychologyCalifornia State University, Fresno
- B.S., Exercise Science and WellnessBall State University
Mark LaSota, Ph.D., is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Kinesiology and Sport
Management Department at Texas A&M University. He Joined the KNSM faculty in
2022. His research interests are sport leadership, organizational culture, mentoring,
and international business
Dr. LaSota brings extensive experience in higher education along with the sports
and fitness industries. As an educator, he has dedicated nearly two decades of his
career teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds in a variety of
faculty positions at public and private universities, community colleges, and
proprietary schools. Prior to arriving in College Station, he spent two years as an
Assistant Professor and the Director of the Sport Leadership and Recreation at
Emporia State University. Among his accomplishments, he worked closely with the
athletic department as an academic advisor for several student-athletes, ran the
internship and practicum programs, served on the faculty senate, formed strategic
partnerships with local and regional businesses and institutions, and developed
relationships with professional sports organizations, such as the Kansas City Chiefs
and Royals. While serving as a Lecturer for the Kinesiology Department at San
Francisco State University, Dr. LaSota founded and directed Gator Start Camp,
which is a holistic program designed to teach life skills, leadership lessons, and
healthy choices to young people. Some other institutions he has taught for either in
a traditional onsite, online, or hybrid capacity include The University of New Mexico,
Florida International University, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Stanislaus State
University, Fresno Pacific University, and Fresno State University.
As an industry professional, Dr. LaSota has filled various roles for companies and
organizations. Some of these roles include sport manager, coach, scout,
recreational facility supervisor, sport camp director, fitness manager, and personal
trainer. Prior to his work in the classroom, he spent several years coaching multiple
sports at the Division I, community college, high school, and junior high levels. As
an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
for Grossmont College, he was tasked with a number of responsibilities, including
scouting, recruiting, and coordinating team travel. At The University of New Mexico,
he was appointed to the Athletic Council for three years and served as a liaison for
the football and men’s soccer teams. While in Albuquerque, he helped with the New
Mexico Bowl game for four years and assisted with hospitality and operations. He
has worked for and with the NFL in areas of marketing, events, and operations. One
of his most memorable professional experiences was working crowd management
and public relations for Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, CA.
Dr. LaSota is a published author, motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, and has
provided leadership and performance consulting to companies and sport
organizations. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Education, Sports, and Exercise
Science with a concentration in sport administration from The University of New
Mexico. For his doctoral dissertation, he worked in collaboration with the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and interviewed several inductees exploring the
role of mentorship in their career success. He has two master’s degrees – an MBA
in International Business from New Mexico Highlands University and a master’s in
kinesiology with a concentration in sport psychology from Fresno State University.
His bachelor’s is in exercise science from Ball State University. He is a former NCAA
Division I walk-on football player at Ball State.
One of his greatest passions is providing global transformative experiences for our
students through education abroad programs. As a graduate student, he
participated in study abroad programs to Argentina and Mexico. In 2023, he was
part of our Texas A&M faculty-led sport management program to Japan. Currently,
Dr. LaSota is a member of the SEHD Global Education Committee and serves as
chair of our SPMT International Education Committee. He will be leading an
international sport leadership program to Bolivia in May 2024.
Dr. Wendi Zimmer
Undergraduate Research
Educational Background
- 2019, Ph.D., Curriculum and InstructionTexas A&M University
- 2010, M.A., Reading InstructionSam Houston State University
- 2002, B.S., Interdisciplinary StudiesTexas A&M University
Wendi Kamman Zimmer, Ph.D., is a writing consultant and Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. Her doctoral degree is in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in literacy education. Additionally, Wendi partners with Texas A&M University's Center for Teaching Excellence and focuses on managing conflict, graduate writing support, and enhancing teaching and learning. This work includes curriculum redesign efforts, delivery of teaching and learning-based professional development programming for faculty, and graduate-level writing studios to develop strong writing habits and increase writing and publishing productivity. As the Associate Director of POWER, Wendi also provides writing studios for graduate students and undergraduate students interested in pursuing a graduate degree. Wendi currently teaches literacy and communication skills to undergraduate students in the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management within the School of Education & Human Development. Her research agenda focuses on undergraduate and graduate writing development by using a writing framework she created to enhance writing self-efficacy and competency. Through her model, Wendi analyses how to effectively teach writing skills and habits (face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid), regardless of the content area. She also focuses on the effectiveness of and the need for enhanced instruction and communication in sport. Wendi's work provides a unique opportunity to reflect on students' learning, specifically the correlation between using communication methods to guide thinking and the implications on leading and learning.