Emily Plunkett, Ph.D., joined Texas A&M University as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Sport Management in 2023 after earning her Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Florida (UF). While at UF, Plunkett assisted in coordinating undergraduate internships, conducted research for the Laboratory of Athlete Development Research, and taught courses such as Ethical Issues in Sport, Advanced Career Development, and Sport Career Transitions. She was certified as an Athlete Development Specialist in 2017 by the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists (PAADS) and has since developed career transition programming, courses, and executive education for college student-athletes, sport management students, and professional athletic support staff.

Plunkett's research examines the effects of pre-transition programming on transition quality factors for elite athletes retiring from competitive sport and sport management students entering the workforce. Her work aims to optimize career transitions and enhance career readiness through curriculum/competency development, experiential learning, career and identity exploration, and program evaluation. Plunkett's scholarship is informed by her own experience as a Division I student-athlete, as well as her college athletics industry experience in media relations and academic support. She has been awarded consulting grants for evaluation of Division I athletic departments, youth athlete development programs, and primary and secondary school curricula.