POTSDAM -- Clarkson University vice president for external relations Kelly O. Chezum is a member of the New York State delegation traveling to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in early February for the 2017 Universiade Winter games.

The event is organized by Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) and translates to the International University Sports Federation.

The delegation will engage with the student athletes, coaches, organizers, host nation representatives and others to further explore putting forward a proposal for the greater Lake Placid- Adirondack-North Country Region to host FISU’s 2023 University Winter Games. Lake Placid and the region hosted the event in 1972.

The 28th Winter Universiade in Almaty will host more than 2,500 athletes between the ages of 17-28 from 55 countries. Approximately 3,000 volunteers will be involved at the eight sports venues, airport and hotels of the city. More than 30,000 foreign guests and tourists are expected to attend the games.

“Events of this magnitude represent many people working together to ensure the participants have a safe and great experience consistent with the organization’s mission as well as showcase all that a region can offer,” said Chezum. “In addition to learning from the organizers, student-athletes and other participants, I especially look forward to meeting the host nation volunteers and sharing in the appreciation of their contributions to the experience for competitors and visitors.”

As part of the preparations, Chezum has been encouraging her higher education colleagues and people in the community to share the things they would like for her or others on the trip to ask, share, investigate or observe at the games, and when meeting with FISU officials, host city representatives, and the athletes and their families.

Traveling with the delegation in addition to Chezum will be Ski Areas of New York President and CEO Scott Brandi, Adirondack Foundation CEO Cali Brooks, State Olympic Regional Development Authority Executive Vice President Jeffery Byrne, State Senator Betty Little, Lake Placid Crowne Plaza Resort President and State Adirondack Park Agency Commissioner Art Lussi, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism CEO Jim McKenna, Village of Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall, North Elba Councilman Jay Rand, Athlete Minder CEO Mara Smith and legal advisor Douglas Stewart.

In addition to her connections to the higher education community, Chezum is the vice president of the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Board of Directors, and a member of the Adirondack Thousand Islands Sports & Recreation Commission, and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council’s Tourism & Community, Public Participation and Adirondack Work Groups. She is also an active volunteer in several community youth sports leagues.

She is the past education program chair for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) at the United Nations and a recipient of the WED organization’s Pioneer Award. She has also served on several national committees for the Association of Governing Boards, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Association of Independent Technological Universities.

Chezum did her undergraduate studies in marketing and communications at Carroll University in Wisconsin and is a graduate of Clarkson’s MBA program. She earned her doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University.