PLU’s Colleen Hacker recognized as global “Game Changer” in women in STEM
By Britt Board
Assistant Director of Communications
PLU kinesiology professor Colleen Hacker has been recognized as one of 26 women featured in the new #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers, an international exhibition celebrating women whose work demonstrates how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are transforming sports.
The exhibit debuted at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival™ in Dallas and features life-sized, 3D-printed statues of leaders whose work is inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.
From PLU to the Olympics – highlights from a legendary career
At PLU, Hacker teaches kinesiology with a focus on sport and performance psychology. She draws on decades of experience coaching Olympic and world champion athletes to help students apply evidence-based mental skills to leadership, teamwork, and performance.
Over her more than four decades at PLU, Hacker has built an internationally recognized career that includes:
⚽ Serving on six U.S. Olympic coaching staffs as a mental performance coach
⚽ Supporting teams that won multiple Olympic gold medals, World Cup championships, and more than 10 world titles
⚽ Leading PLU women’s soccer to three NAIA national championships as head coach
⚽ Becoming the first woman inducted into the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame
⚽ Mentoring generations of PLU students while advancing research in sport and performance psychology
“To receive this award is a profound honor, but its true value lies in the path it clears for the future. I am deeply grateful for this recognition, and more committed than ever to building a legacy that inspires, empowers, and endures for generations of women in STEM and other professions to come,” Hacker reflects.
Inspiring the next generation
Hacker’s recognition reflects the growing impact of women in STEM and the vital role of performance psychology in athletics. As millions of visitors experience the exhibit during the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival, they’ll see how science and sport intersect — and how leaders like Hacker are expanding opportunities for future generations.
On a large scale, her work continues to influence elite athletes worldwide. In the classroom at PLU, she is helping shape the next generation of coaches, researchers, educators, and performance professionals. It’s a legacy measured not only in championships and medals, but in the lives and careers she continues to shape while opening doors for future generations of women in STEM.
I am deeply grateful that she continues to be dedicated to educating our students and committing her time and attention to their growth and development. I recently attended a KINS celebration, and her connection with our students is incredible. They love and admire her.