The Everyday Scholar

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Jamie Benallo, Associate Principal and Senior Architect at Populous, to explore how sports and recreation facilities are designed with long-term impact in mind. Jamie shares her path into sports architecture and explains how listening to communities, athletes, and stakeholders is central to creating adaptable, future-ready spaces. Jamie also offers insight into her work on the Denver Summit NWSL expansion projects, highlighting the collaboration required to balance athlete needs, fan experience, and community use. She closes with advice for students pursuing careers in sport management and related fields, emphasizing curiosity, relationship-building, and learning the craft before chasing titles. 

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Kerrilyn Curtin, Director of Research at the LPGA and a member of the APUS Sports Management Program advisory council. Kerrilyn walks through her career path – from early experiences at York College (and an unexpected first research opportunity handing out surveys), to a decade at Madison Square Garden, a stint at NBC Universal and a startup research firm, and ultimately eight years at the LPGA. She explains why she calls research the “what if” department: her team’s job is to make the organization smarter by connecting fan insights to decision-making across social, TV viewership, sponsorship, website analytics, and now ticketing – after the LPGA brought ticketing in-house as part of a broader data acquisition strategy. Kerrilyn shares surprising insights about women’s sports audiences – including that the LPGA’s fan base skews older and male – and how the LPGA uses that data to both attract the right partners and grow younger and female fans through more digital engagement and deeper storytelling. The conversation digs into where data is headed (more personalization, more connected touchpoints, more attribution), how sponsorship activation increasingly revolves around data exchange, and why privacy and opt-ins get complicated across states and global markets. Throughout, Kerrilyn and the hosts emphasize the same core career advice for students: volunteer early, stay curious, ask questions, build relationships, and keep networking—because most jobs, opportunities, and career pivots happen through connections and “three degrees of separation.” 

In this episode of Voices in the Field, hosts Jim Reese and Britt sit down with Scott MacDonald, Senior Director of Youth Partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers, to trace his 20+ year journey in professional sports. Scott shares how a high school job-shadowing experience and a love of sports led him to Ohio University, an internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a formative stint in minor league baseball where he learned to “sell a $6 ticket” and, more importantly, to sell himself. Along the way, he emphasizes the role of grit, mentorship, and personal branding, as well as the power of relationships and being coachable in a highly competitive industry. Scott also gives an inside look at how the Cavs approach youth sports and fan development, guided by a simple but powerful matrix: friends, swag, snacks, and fun. He explains how the organization partners with rec centers, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Special Olympics to support kids, empower parents, and equip coaches—creating first-class experiences that build lifelong fans and better humans, not just better athletes. With reflections on servant leadership, the impact of commissioners like Adam Silver, and practical advice for students aspiring to work in sports, the episode is a thoughtful, energetic exploration of what it means to lead with humility, hustle, and heart. 

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs sit down with Chris Canty, Super Bowl XLVI champion, ESPN radio host, and former University of Virginia standout. Canty reflects on his transition from the NFL to sports media, sharing how building “mouth memory,” staying coachable, and putting in the reps helped him succeed beyond the field. Canty discusses the challenges athletes face when careers end, the importance of finding new communities, and how team chemistry extends to broadcast studios. Chris also explores player empowerment, NIL’s impact on collegiate sports, and the expanding career paths available in today’s industry. For students and aspiring professionals, he offers practical advice on seizing opportunities, investing in personal growth, and leading with resilience. 

In this Voices in the Field episode, hosts Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Kellie Cavalier, VP of Pro Ops and Events at League One Volleyball. She reflects on her journey from global sport experiences and event operations at RFK Stadium to helping build a professional volleyball league that’s reshaping the landscape of women’s sports. Kellie discusses the unique challenges of launching a startup league, the importance of mentorship and hands-on learning, and how passion drives success in the industry. She also shares advice for students and early-career professionals on finding their path in sports management. 

What does it take to run game day at Notre Dame? In this episode of Voices in the Field, hosts Dr. Jim Reese and Dr. Brittany Jacobs welcome Scott Carter, Notre Dame’s Assistant Athletic Director for Event and Game Management, for a dive into the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes world of college sports.   From scrubbing cleats and dishes in a minor league clubhouse to leading event operations at one of the most iconic universities in the country, Scott shares his winding career path, the real challenges of event logistics, and why learning what you don’t want to do can shape your future. Whether you're a sport management student, a curious fan, or an aspiring AD, this episode delivers honest insights, unexpected advice, and a front-row seat to the teamwork that makes game day happen. 

In this episode, APU’s Jim Reese and Brittany Jacobs sit down with Donte Hewlett, General Manager at Lucky Strike in Durham, North Carolina. Donte shares his unfiltered and deeply human story of rising through the ranks in the sports and food & beverage industries – from grinding in sales for MLB teams to running large-scale food and beverage operations across the country. With refreshing honesty, he discusses professional setbacks, navigating corporate politics, building meaningful relationships, and the importance of knowing your worth. Donte’s story is a powerful reminder that success rarely follows a straight line – and that resilience, integrity, and connection often matter more than titles. 

In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer moderates a compelling conversation with Nuno Fernandes, President of American Public University System, and Lori Glover, J.D., Managing Director, Global Strategic Alliances, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), one of the most prominent AI research laboratories worldwide. The discussion explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education and beyond.  Fernandes and Glover highlight how AI can personalize learning experiences, democratize access to knowledge, and reshape the workforce by automating routine tasks and augmenting human decision making. They emphasize the importance of domain expertise, ethical AI use, and equipping both students and faculty with tools to thrive in an AI-driven future. Real-world applications—ranging from pilot training to streamlining college credit transfers—showcase how AI is already enhancing education and workplace efficiency.