Name: Kristin Gillette
Position/Institution: Director of Athletics, Park University 
Number of years in your position: First year
Alma Mater(s): William Jewell College, Gonzaga University
Hometown: Omaha, NE  
Institution Athletics Twitter Handle: @ParkPirates
 
What is your favorite part about being a member of the NAIA-ADA?
My favorite part about being a member of the NAIA-ADA is gleaning information from those making it big time where they are (my nod to Frosty Westering) and all those who love the NAIA.
 
What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment? 
The biggest challenge to working in a university environment is finding a parking spot.
 
What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment to date? 
Honestly, to still be in this career field seems to be one of my greatest professional accomplishments.
 
What is the most important skill you have developed in your career? 
The most important skill I have developed in my career is making use of bullet points.
 
Who has been the most influential person in your career? 
There is a long list of influential people in my career, but specific to the NAIA, Rob Miller and Lori Thomas have guided me since the beginning. Marcus Manning and I started the same day at the NAIA, and he is one of my greatest mentors.  
 
If you could plan a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go? 
If I could plan a vacation to anywhere in the world, I would go somewhere in nature (ideally with no bugs biting me).
 
What is your favorite sporting event you have ever attended?
I have a few favorite sporting events I have attended. One of them is the NAIA D2 Women's National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa. Haskell Indian Nations University qualified for nationals during the 2009-2010 season for the first time in school history. They drew the 8:30 a.m. game and had one of the largest crowds for a first day of competition. The support was incredible. Also, the past three years, I enjoyed helping Coach Pana at MNU host the cheer and dance invitational. I enjoyed it so much that I took the Park Dance club team this year to watch the competition.
 
Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate athletics? 
I have always had sports in my life from when I could remember, playing pickup ball in the driveway and pickle from streetlight to streetlight. While playing in college, I knew I wanted to pursue Gonzaga's sport management program even though I had no idea how my career would shape out. I know I love being challenged, having variety in my day, and helping others. College athletics administration provides that for me.
 
In your mind, who in this industry can serve as a good role model? 
Ms. Valerie Beeson can serve as a good role model. She is steadfast and loyal, works with integrity and intentionality, and has a great sense of humor. We need all these traits to serve as amazing role models.
 
What educational or business experiences best prepared you for a career as an athletics director?
My experience at MidAmerica Nazarene University helped me hit the ground running at Park University. Athletics Director Todd Garrett and the entire coaching staff took me under their wings to show me the ins and outs of collegiate athletics specific to a campus. I was given immense freedom to try my hands in all facets of the athletics department and cross-campus happenings.
 
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to become an NAIA Athletics Director? 
The best advice I've ever received comes from Sam Knopik, who stated so matter-of-factly, "You aren't going to make everyone happy, so at the end of the day, what decision can you live with and sleep with at night?" The advice I would give to someone looking to become an NAIA athletics director is to let me ask, "What is the name of the janitor at your facilities?"
 
What was your biggest professional blunder and how did you learn from it?
My biggest professional blunders are things that make me cringe from early in my career as a sport manager at the NAIA. I learned you've got to show up, speak up, and keep moving forward. 
 
What is the best binge-worthy podcast or TV show you are currently taking in?
The best binge-worthy TV show I'm currently watching is Schitt's Creek (I'm 6 years behind). Maybe I'll catch Ted Lasso in a couple years. As far as podcasts, I recommend It Was Said by John Meacham and NetLife by Dawn Staley. For my reading enjoyment, I've recently tackled The Heritage by Howard Bryant, The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr, and In The Heights: Finding Home by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
 
What are you most looking forward to at the next NAIA or NACDA Convention?
It has been five years since I have been in person, so I am looking forward to connecting with friends and colleagues again. A lot has happened during these years that I would like to learn from: the pandemic, the activation of RISE, NIL, selection committees, and ROA.
 
Beyond your school, what sports teams do you consider yourself a fan of?
I consider myself a fan of my kids' favorite teams, including Gonzaga University, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Kansas City professional teams.  
 
What do you think is the biggest challenge in college athletics right now?
I think the biggest challenge in college athletics right now is keeping sight of priorities when there is so much that can distract. NAIA college athletics requires that we provide quality, efficient work to help student-athletes access a higher educational degree while having equitable opportunity to compete. My challenge is to make sure I continue to listen to the student-athletes' experiences. The farther I get away from my own experience, the more I recognize it is different.