Iowa State selects Russ Carson to lead Department of Kinesiology and Health  

Known for his collaborative leadership and commitment to community wellbeing, Carson brings deep experience in research, teaching and industry innovation    

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences has named Russ Carson, a nationally recognized scholar and leader, as the next chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health.  

“Dr. Carson’s career blends academic excellence with industry innovation,” said Laura Dunn Jolly, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “He has a strong record of building partnerships, securing resources, and leading programs that improve health outcomes in schools and communities.”  

Carson has secured over $7 million in external funding, founded three nationally recognized research facilities, and authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications. He has also developed over 250 strategic partnerships and collaborations with public health, healthcare and community organizations and implemented more than 1000 community health projects.  

“Iowa State’s Department of Kinesiology and Health is positioned to become a national model for how academic excellence and community impact work together at land-grant universities,” Carson said. “During my campus visit, the genuine warmth and collaborative spirit were remarkable. People make the place, and I’m thrilled to join such a talented, committed team.”  

Driven by a commitment to serving communities through research, teaching, and extension, Carson co-created the CDC-endorsed framework used in former first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, reaching more than 23,000 schools, 33,000 educators, and 13 million students nationwide.  

“The work that excites me most is translating scholarship into solutions that improve people’s lives,” said Carson.  

Carson also brings experience from industry. At PlayCore, where he served as corporate director of research and community impact strategy, he contributed to over $190 million in cumulative impact by building revenue-generating programs that maintained scholarly integrity.  

Carson will begin July 13.  

About Iowa State’s Department of Kinesiology and Health  

The Department of Kinesiology and Health is home to more than 1,000 undergraduate students and over 80 graduate students. Graduate-level programs include kinesiology and health, the accredited 3+2 athletic training program, and the online master of digital health. The department’s 90,000-square-foot facility includes teaching labs, classrooms, physical activity areas, and research spaces.