“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” — Maya Angelou
The impact of an educator can last a lifetime. From the time we learn to paint our first pictures in kindergarten, to the moment we toss our caps on graduation night – teachers play a pivotal in shaping the individuals we become. Their reach often goes far beyond the classroom walls, providing valuable lessons that stick with us far into adulthood. Kristin Lee Sotak, a 2004 M-E graduate says she wouldn’t be where she is today without the teachers she grew up with. Later in her academic career, one conversation with an educator changed her life forever.
“I once asked one of my college professors how I could ever repay him for how he helped me, and he simply responded, "Help others how I helped you," said Sotak.
So she did. Sotak turned her passion for psychology, leadership, and business analytics into a teaching job, later working her way up to Associate Dean of the School of Business and an Associate Professor of Management at SUNY Oswego. Now, Sotak gets to pay it forward every day – helping others the same way a professor once helped her.
“It allows me to make a positive impact on students' lives like others did for me. I also love to learn, and teaching is a natural extension of this. I learn so much from my students. Teaching is absolutely a two-way street,” said Sotak.
Sotak’s work in the statistics field has appeared in The New York Times, Ladders, FiveThirtyEight, Harvard Business Review and more. It’s safe to call this 2004 grad a professional in the world of academia… but that wouldn’t be the only field she’s gone “pro.”
Before her time at Oswego, Kristin spent countless hours on the “pitch,” whether it was scoring goals as a Spartan during high school or leaving her mark as a Bonnie in college. Soccer was one of her first loves, and that passion and hard work earned her the distinct honor of becoming the first female athlete from her college to ever sign a professional contract.
After graduating, Sotak hopped on a plane and flew to Iceland, playing professional soccer for Fjölnir.
“It was an amazing experience. A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to keep playing competitively after high school, but I was fortunate enough to do so in college and then after I graduated. Not only did I get to keep doing something I loved, but I had the opportunity to travel to and live in another country. I met some amazing people. I learned to drive stick,” said Sotak.
Despite playing professional soccer, Sotak remembers one humbling experience while traveling to an away game on a small Islandic Island.
“The airport was so small that the man who checked us in was also our pilot, and a lot of my teammates were afraid to fly on the small plane, but the island was incredibly beautiful. It was the little things that I remember and cherish,” said Sotak.
This professional athlete turned Dean remembers her time in Spartan Country for the people. Whether it was her fellow classmates, teachers, or coaches, she says the connections she built at Maine-Endwell will last a lifetime.
“It’s always about the people and relationships. To this day, my best friend in high school is still my best friend - Jenna Sanzone. Coach Steve Perkins called us fire and ice - nothing could come between us,” said Sotak.
Athletics played a major role in Sotak’s life at Maine-Endwell. But despite the records, goals scored or success on the field – it’s her time with her friends outside the game that meant the most.
“Sports were always a big part of my time at M-E. I remember eating at Tony’s and Alimonti’s with my teams, bus rides to games, and sleepovers. I am blessed to have crossed paths with the people I did, and even if I haven’t seen or spoke to some of these people in years, I hope they know the impact they made on my life and cherish the memories like I do,” said Sotak.
The words of her college professor still hold true today. "Help others how I helped you." Sotak has made it her life’s mission to make a difference in the lives of those around her. And that extends far beyond the classroom walls – and even far beyond humans. With a passion for animals, Sotak is a regular volunteer at Helping Hound Dog Rescue in Syracuse. It’s now grown to be a major focus in her life.
“I have so much in life to be thankful for, and a lot of it is because other people helped me when they didn’t have to. I want to give back because I honestly believe it’s my obligation to do so. These animals don’t have a voice, and I want to be their voice. As for anyone who has ever adopted a pet knows how much unconditional love they provide. It makes me feel good to be a part of this. One of the things I hear the most is, “I could never do that [volunteer].” To anyone who has said this - you’re missing out! Sure, there’s always a sad story, but more often than not, there are happy endings,” said Sotak.
Sotak is a shining example of “going for it,” whether it’s traveling across the world to play soccer, or stepping into a major leadership role at a university. As for the Spartans of today, Sotak says her message is simple – go for it!
“Travel. Try something new. Step outside of your comfort zone. Not only does this help you grow as a person, but these experiences will be the best in your life. Some of my best memories are from my travels to Iceland and all across Europe with my friends. I don’t have to look back on my life and say, “I wish I did that.” As a college professor, I strongly encourage my students to study or travel abroad. If money is an issue, reach out to your school for help. There are often scholarships or ways to help support travel. You could also be an expatriate and work abroad. I considered applying for jobs in Singapore when I graduated from my PhD program, and sometimes I wish I did! It doesn’t have to be forever, but for a couple years, why not?! Just try things. If you don’t like it, you can always try something else or come home. More often than not, things are never as bad as they seem,” said Sotak.
From the halls of Spartan Country to the stadiums of Europe, we are so proud of Kristin Lee Sotak for all of her successes and are excited to celebrate yet another alum who has done great things.