Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP
Location
Dr. Aimee Vlachos is a results-driven educator, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience in sport management, outdoor recreation, and experiential learning. She holds an Ed.D. in Sports Management with a concentration in marketing where her dissertation explored gender inequality in women’s surfing. Complementing her doctorate, Dr. Vlachos earned an M.S. in Recreation Management, and a B.A. in Business with a minor in Outdoor Recreation.
Dr. Vlachos teaches a diverse portfolio of courses within the Business and Outdoor Recreation Management programs. Her innovative curriculum development led to the establishment of the Business of Outdoor Recreation academic major, which integrates experiential learning with real-world applications. Her commitment to fostering student success has earned her recognition, including nominations for both the Debra J. Summers Memorial Award and the Excellence in Faculty Mentoring and Advising Award.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Vlachos founded Wahine Kai International, a 501(c)(7) nonprofit dedicated to promoting amateur women’s surfing. Over 20 years, she expanded the organization to include 15 chapters nationwide and a membership exceeding 500, with features in major media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Surfer Magazine. Previously, she owned and operated Maine’s first all-girl surf school, training over 1,000 individuals and partnering with local businesses to enhance community engagement.
Her research interests focus on gender inequality in alternative sports, examining cultural dynamics and barriers that influence women’s participation and representation. Dr. Vlachos is a recognized thought leader, receiving the Emerging Scholar Award from the International Conference on Sport & Society for her contributions to the field.
An active member of professional organizations, including the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) and the Association of Outdoor Recreation Educators (AORE), Dr. Vlachos also serves on boards and committees promoting outdoor recreation and youth sports in her local community.
Credentials
Education
Expertise
- Gender and sports
- Gender issues
- Outdoor recreation
Clinical Affiliations
Board Certifications and Licenses
Post-Doctoral Training
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Research
Research interests
My research focuses on gender inequality in alternative sports. I am particularly interested in understanding women’s surfing experiences and how these have changed with the increased popularity in the sport of surfing. My research aims to assess whether an alternative sport, such as surfing, is gender-inclusive and whether dominant groups in sports often receive privilege and are actively trying to protect their members. With surfing being an individual sport, postmodern feminism puts the responsibility for change in the hands of the woman surfer.