Christine Maleske, PhD

Dr. Christine Maleske is a lecturer III of sport management at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dr. Maleske earned her bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2014 and began her career at Learfield Sporting Marketing, where she managed 120 sponsorship accounts for Penn State University. She then took on the role of marketing and partnership manager for the National Volleyball League, a nationwide beach volleyball tour.

In 2016, Dr. Maleske moved to Germany to pursue a master’s degree in international sport development and politics at the German Sport University, completing it in 2018. During her studies, she worked as a research assistant, evaluating sport for development initiatives in Africa. After graduation, she joined the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee, where she coordinated and delivered educational workshops to enhance the capacities of National Paralympic Committees in countries such as Tanzania, India, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.

In 2019, Dr. Maleske returned to the United States, and in 2024, she earned her PhD in sport management from the University of Michigan, focusing on developing human rights strategies for large-scale sporting events. She then served as an assistant professor of teaching at Wayne State University.

Dr. Maleske's current research interests center on disability rights, parasport, and organizational capacity building within adaptive sport programs. She has published her work in journals such as Sport Management Review and European Sport Management Quarterly, and has presented and facilitated workshops for both academic and industry professionals.

Dr. Maleske teaches courses in sport communications, sport promotions, sport marketing, and ethics in sport, focusing on practical applications and interactive learning. She addresses evolving challenges in the sport industry and seeks to equip her students with the knowledge and skills to navigate them. Through dynamic teaching methods, Dr. Maleske aims to foster an environment that encourages students to understand the broader societal implications of sport, and inspire them to become ethical leaders in the industry.