Kristina Navarro-Krupka, who since the program’s inception has taught classes with the UW–Madison School of Education’s Master of Science in Sports Leadership program, died of natural causes on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Navarro-Krupka had served as director of athletics and as an assistant chancellor at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville since June of 2020. She was 39 years old.
Navarro-Krupka is an alumna of UW–Madison’s School of Education, where she earned her PhD from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2012. She received the School’s 2014 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award.
Clifton Conrad, a UW–Madison professor emeritus with the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) who served on Navarro-Krupka’s dissertation committee, reflected that “Kristina was deeply committed to both understanding and improving the learning experiences of students.”
“She was the kind of person who lit up the room when she entered, always excited to know what students were reflecting on as they launched spirited conversations,” Conrad added. “She embodied enthusiasm for living life to the fullest, from cheering at athletic events to learning together with students. Kristina truly was a treasure who will be greatly missed by students, staff, faculty, and administrators.”
During her time with UW–Madison’s MS in Sports Leadership (MSL) program, which launched with its first cohort in the summer of 2022, Navarro-Krupka taught ELPA 710: Leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Kristina was a beloved member of the MSL faculty. Students loved her course,” said Sara Jimenez Soffa, director of the MSL program. “She was a vibrant leader who brought great energy, expertise in the field, and passion for sports leadership to our community. On behalf of the MSL program, I offer condolences to her husband, Nick, her family, friends, and all her students. Kristina will be deeply missed.”
Over the past three years at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, Navarro-Krupka led the university’s Division of Athletics and Recreation, which includes 16 NCAA Division III athletic programs. In this role, she also led the university’s intramurals, campus recreation, fitness and wellness programming, the Pioneer Leadership Institute, and the Pioneer Activity Center. As a tenured faculty member, Navarro-Krupka also taught five courses at UW–Platteville and coordinated the graduate program in sport administration within the College of Liberal Arts and Education.
“Athletic Director and Assistant Chancellor Dr. Kristina Navarro-Krupka’s unexpected passing during pregnancy fills us with both shock and sadness,” Tammy K. Evetovich, chancellor at UW–Platteville, said in a statement. “She was an enthusiastic champion for the entire University of Wisconsin–Platteville, especially our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff.”
Prior to her time at UW–Platteville, Navarro-Krupka served as the senior associate athletic director for leadership development and strategic partnerships at Rutgers University.
Throughout her career Navarro-Krupka aimed to build a collaborative, transformational student-athlete experience, drawing on her more than 17 years of sport management experience and dedication to the field.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being set up in Navarro-Krupka’s name. Read the full obituary.