Meet Your Team – Faculty and Staff

Dr. Amy Rundio holds a Ph.D. in Sport Management from The University of Texas at Austin, where their research focused on personal transformations through sport participation experiences. As an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at High Point University, her classes have included Sport Marketing, Organizational Behavior in Sport, Sport in Society, Sports Executive Boardroom Experience, and Sport Facility management. Her research has continued to focus on sport participation experiences in various settings (such as cause-related events, collegiate sport clubs, and CrossFit), as well as personal transformations, particularly through the scholarship of teaching and learning (e.g., the pedagogy of empathy in sport management education). By understanding these experiences, researchers and sport managers can better design and develop experiences that result in positive participant outcomes.

Dr. Lukow has been at HPU since 2006 and has had the honor of previously serving as the Chair of the Sport Management Department. She teaches the Introduction to Sport Management and Sport Law classes while also serving as the co-faculty advisor for the Sport Management Association student club. Dr. Lukow earned her doctorate in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2001 and worked at the University of New Orleans for five years as an Assistant Professor. In addition, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business with a specialization in Marketing from Lynchburg College in Virginia and a master’s degree from Indiana State University in Sport Management. Over the years she has taught 14 different sport management courses such as Sport in Society, Sport Marketing, Gender Issues in Sport, and Senior Seminar in Sport Management.

Dr. Arden Slavov is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at High Point University, where she currently teaches Professional Development in Sport Management and Sport in Society. She also serves as the Internship Coordinator for the department. She obtained her Ph.D. in Sport Management from Texas A&M University. In addition, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Wofford College and a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a Certificate in Sport Management from East Carolina University. Her research line investigates how individuals function in the context of groups and how these interactions impact their overall experience and quality of life. Based upon her experience as a former Division I volleyball athlete, her current research interests include role identity, team cohesion, and the impact of college sport on athlete well-being. By better understanding the experience of group members, she intends to provide managers and practitioners with the tools necessary to implement policies and procedures that generate positive change.

In addition to being the Director of the Master’s in Communication and Business Leadership, Dr. Koba teaches sport finance and strategic management in the sport management department. Prior to pursuing a PhD, he worked in sports medicine, exercise science and athlete development. He went to the University of South Carolina to earn his PhD and specializes in teaching sport finance and using data to improve decision making. He enjoys working with students to develop their professional image and create projects they can use when interviewing for positions. He has lived in High Point since 2021 with his family and huskies. When not teaching, he enjoys exercising, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and being outside with family.

Jim Scott ’85 is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management, teaching courses in Sport Marketing, Human Communication, Audio and Video Production, Persuasion, Public Speaking, Spokesperson Training, Brand Management, Strategic Communication and more. Jim brings real-world experience to his classes from a 30-year career as a creative director and consultant, sport marketer, writer, producer, and announcer, and has served as public address announcer for New York Yankees and Miami Marlins’ affiliates, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big South Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes, and others. He has twice won the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters’ Best of the Best Award, as well as the HPU Faculty Excellence Award, High Point University Hero Award, and Distinguished Alumnus Award in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. Jim hosts the Sport Management Podcast, is public address announcer for High Point University Athletics, served for many years as Director of HPU’s Summer Advantage program, and is on the Board of Directors of the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.

Austin Homan serves as the Head of Operations for NC Triad Fusion, Inc., a local non-profit youth sports club. Prior to joining NC Fusion, Austin was the Athletic Superintendent with the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department for over 7 years. Prior to coming to the City of Greensboro, he was the Head of Baseball Operations at East Carolina University. As a former Division-1 baseball player and 12+ year career in sport, he believes in the power of sport and the impact it can have on communities and the lives of others.

John Nieman retired from the Guilford County Public Defender’s Office in 2023 as Chief Public Defender after over twenty years in that office and over thirty years as a trial attorney.  He has defended and prosecuted cases from minor misdemeanors to murders.  John has taught paralegal studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, Greensboro College, Guilford College and many community colleges.  He has lectured at law schools, Continuing Legal Education programs and was on the faculty of the Conference of District Attorneys.  His wife, Martha Massie, is a board-certified specialist family law attorney and his son, Jeff Nieman, is the elected District Attorney for Orange and Chatham counties.