Kristin Ondrak, MS, Ph.D. has always been drawn to the science of movement. From her early days in a small Pennsylvania town to her current home on the coast of North Carolina, her passion has taken her through research labs, lecture halls and even cross country.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University, a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University, and a PhD in Human Movement Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Ondrak has built an academic foundation rooted in understanding how the body works and how to use that knowledge to improve lives.
But research, she discovered, wasn’t her only passion.
“Throughout my PhD training, I realized I really like teaching more than research,” she reflects. “I thought I’d become a big-time Principal Investigator (PI), but I found my place in the classroom.”
After early work as a professional research assistant at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Dr. Ondrak’s teaching career blossomed, starting with lectureships at UNC, then transitioning to adjunct roles at multiple institutions while living in Seattle. She now teaches full-time at UNC Chapel Hill and part-time at Logan University, where her love of teaching and her deep scientific expertise intersect.
At Logan, Dr. Ondrak began by teaching Research Methods, an interdisciplinary course serving students in nutrition, sports science and rehabilitation, and health informatics programs. Her background quickly proved a great fit for Logan’s Master of Science in Sports Science and Rehabilitation (MSSSR) program, and in collaboration with program leadership and the instructional design team, she helped develop two new courses: Clinical Exercise Physiology and Exercise Cardiorespiratory Physiology.
“These courses look at how exercise can serve as medicine,” she explains. “We explore everything from how the body responds to exercise at the physiological level to how exercise can help manage or prevent chronic diseases like hypertension and COPD.”
Despite the demands of teaching across institutions, Dr. Ondrak thrives by staying organized and embracing the rhythm of the academic calendar. “That’s life—that’s adulting,” she says. “You just have to stay on top of it.”
Working remotely, she notes, has its pros and cons. She misses in-person connection with colleagues but values the flexibility it offers. The students, she notes, make it all worthwhile.
“They’re engaged. They’re not just checking boxes. They genuinely want to learn and that makes my job so rewarding.”
When asked why she’d recommend Logan’s programs, Dr. Ondrak points to quality and innovation.
“The instruction is top-notch. The team is committed to continuous improvement, and the online format is perfect for non-traditional students who need flexibility but still want a rigorous, forward-thinking education.”
For Dr. Ondrak, it all comes back to impact—helping the next generation of health professionals not only understand the science of movement but use it to change lives.