Karin A. Pfeiffer, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, joined the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run (GOTR) International in July 2025.
The international non-profit “designs and offers empowering after-school programs that help girls in grades 3 to 8 build confidence, increase physical activity, and develop essential life skills like managing emotions, forming friendships, and making intentional decisions.”
As part of the Board of Directors, Pfeiffer will engage in activities such as development, oversight of operations and fundraising. Her appointment runs through June of 2028.
Pfeiffer (left) poses at the MSU Rock during a Girls on the Run International event. On the left are alums Karly Bender, M.S. in Kinesiology, and Cailyn VanCamp, Ph.D. in Kinesiology. Photo courtesy: Karin Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer has been involved with the organization since 2005, including serving on the Mid-Michigan GOTR Board of Trustees from 2018-2025.
The two-time MSU grad joined the MSU Department of Kinesiology as a student in 1994 and as faculty in 2006.
“Having been involved with GOTR for more than 20 years and witnessing its positive impact on multiple communities, I am thrilled to join the GOTRI board of directors,” Pfeiffer said in a GOTR press release. “I’ve seen firsthand how GOTR empowers girls to discover their inner strength and confidence, and I’m honored to now support that mission on a national level. It’s a privilege to contribute to an organization that aligns so closely with my passion for youth development and physical activity.”
Photo courtesy: Girls on the Run International
In the same press release, Elizabeth Kunz, CEO of Girls on the Run International, added “Between her tenure as a GOTR council director, local board member, and coach, to her decades of expertise in youth wellness and fitness research, Dr. Pfeiffer is a remarkable addition to our board. Dr. Pfeiffer’s dedication to helping children embrace the joy of movement and build confidence is the embodiment of our core values. We know her joyful spirit, thoughtful leadership, and lifelong investment in the wellbeing of young people will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow and deepen our impact across North America.”
In addition to the GOTR leadership role, Pfeiffer is president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine. In 2025, Pfeiffer — who is also the director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports — received a William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award from MSU.