WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Eastern Connecticut State Director of Athletics Jason Mlodzianowski has announced the hiring of Kelsey Rynkiewicz as the program's new Head Athletic Trainer.

Rynkiewicz joins Eastern from Springfield College where she was on staff since 2022 and was the Director of Athletic Healthcare since 2024-25. Rynkiewicz also served as an assistant professor of Athletic Training at Springfield.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kelsey back to Eastern," said Mlodzianowski. "Her leadership, strategic vision, and enthusiasm for the field of athletic training stood out throughout the search process, and I am excited to see the impact she will have on our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

"In her role at Springfield, Rynkiewicz oversaw the provision of athletic healthcare services to Springfield student-athletes, leading an athletic training team comprised of two other full-time faculty athletic trainers, two resident athletic trainers, and a pair of graduate teaching fellow athletic trainers.

Prior to coming to Springfield, Rynkiewicz worked at Eastern Connecticut State University from 2016-2022 while completing her graduate work at University of Connecticut. In addition to her graduate degrees, Rynkiewicz earned graduate certificates in college instruction, public health, and healthcare innovation. At Eastern Connecticut State University, she worked with the 2022 Division III national champion baseball team.

Rynkiewicz is passionate about sports medicine and educating the public on the vital role athletic trainers play in the health care system. She has served on a number of professional committees and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Board of Certification (BOC) for the Athletic Trainer. Her dissertation focused on longitudinally investigating work-family conflict and work-family guilt among collegiate athletic trainers.

Rynkiewicz received her bachelor's degree in athletic training and master's degree in healthcare administration from King's College (Pa.). She also received a second master's in kinesiology and her doctorate in kinesiology from the University of Connecticut.