Atherton, CA – May 5, 2025 – Menlo College is pleased to announce that Carolynn Hobbs will join Menlo College this fall as the second director of the school’s Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology.
Hobbs’ PhD in Human Performance at Middle Tennessee State University dissertation research explores well-being and thriving among elite youth athletes in competitive athletics. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, Hobbs earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Sonoma State University and a Master of Arts in Kinesiology from San Jose State, with specializations in sport psychology, sport management, and sport sociology.
In addition to her academic experience, Hobbs has almost two decades of professional experience including working as a mental performance consultant, an athletic coach, directing a competitive cheer program, and, most recently, as Director of Sport Psychology and Mental Performance for Fierce Cheer Elite. She comes to Menlo as an Association for Applied Sport Psychology Certified Mental Performance Consultant®.
Hobbs succeeds Dr. Zachary Bryant, who joined Menlo College in early 2023 and was instrumental in designing and launching the MASPP program. The College will graduate its first cohort of master’s students next week, on May 17, 2025. Dr. Bryant will transition to a full-time role as Assistant Professor of Psychology.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Carolynn Hobbs as our next MASPP Director,” said Dean of Arts & Sciences Melissa Michelson. “She brings a wealth of real-world experience and academic expertise that will help our faculty and students achieve their full potential. I look forward to seeing how she continues the rapid growth of the program we enjoyed under Zack Bryant while also keeping the curriculum fresh and relevant to professionals in the field.”
For more information about the MASPP program and application process, visit the MASPP Program page here.
Contact Information:
Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu
About Menlo College
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, private, nonprofit institution founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Menlo offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as graduate programs, including a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology, and a newly launched Master of Science in Financial Technology. With a student body that includes many first-generation college students, Menlo emphasizes experiential learning, requiring internships as part of the curriculum to ensure students graduate career-ready. The College is also proud to be designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
