Dr. Luznyski has been involved in leadership education and development for over 20 years. As a Teaching Associate Professor in Leadership Studies at West Virginia University (WVU) and former affiliate faculty at St. Thomas University (STU), she facilitates leadership learning through complex problem-solving and reflective practices.

Her work focuses on creating cultures where critical thinking, engaging dialogue, and moral imagination thrive. In addition to teaching, she advises the Milan Puskar Leadership Scholars, is a certified Gallup Strengths and International Coaching Federation (ICF) Coach, has led mental health initiatives with Mood Lifters LLC, and actively advocates for equity and fairness issues in West Virginia through WV NOW.

As a former athletics coach and administrator, Dr. Luzynski integrates her experiences and networks to make positive contributions to society. Over 12 years of coaching, she has worked with thousands of athletes in volleyball, track and field, and basketball, while also impacting countless students in 10 years of teaching in higher education. Viewing education as a mission, she has combined leadership and sports as a vehicle for positive social change. This was exemplified in a 2019 U.S. State Department Sport Diplomacy grant, which combined soccer and leadership development to empower women. In 2021 and 2022, Dr. Luzynski led two groups of intercollegiate student-athletes through a 15-week mental health program sponsored by the Athlete Brain Health Foundation and Mood Lifters.

Her personal and professional spirit is energized by empowering students and historically affected groups. This includes advocating for the passage of the CROWN Act in West Virginia, guiding women in coaching and strengths-based leadership training, standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, mentoring Ph.D. candidates through the dissertation process, and publishing on activism in Appalachia. This summary reflects Dr. Luzynski’s skills, passions, and talents for leadership, followership, and fostering positive change in diverse contexts.