Moore Family Endows Leadership and Mental Performance Position With Dartmouth Athletics and Teevens Center for Peak Performance
9/15/2026 3:30:00 PM | Athletics
HANOVER, N.H. - Dartmouth is pleased to announce a generous gift from Christopher Moore '92 and Gretchen Moore to endow the Moore Family Assistant Director for Leadership and Mental Performance position. This leadership gift provides permanent support for the Kirsten and Eugene F. "Buddy" Teevens '79 Center for Peak Performance, strengthening Dartmouth's ability to serve varsity student-athletes and the broader student population with a variety of wellness, leadership, and performance resources.
Jill Kochanek, who joined Dartmouth in January 2026, is the first to serve in the endowed position.
The Teevens Center for Peak Performance is a cross-disciplinary research and programming hub dedicated to advancing student well-being, leadership, and performance. Rooted in the legacy of Dartmouth football coach Buddy Teevens, the Center aims to redefine student development by helping Dartmouth students perform, lead, and thrive. Its work is guided by three pillars: strengthening varsity athletics competitiveness; expanding access to elements of the Dartmouth Peak Performance (DP2) model for all students; and advancing research and innovation in performance science. Together, these efforts establish the Teevens Center as a campus-wide platform that enhances the student experience and supports long-term success at Dartmouth and beyond.
"Every student deserves a foundation that supports them—not just academically, but as whole, thriving individuals," said Jennifer Rosales, Senior Vice President of Community and Campus Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer. "When that foundation is in place, students step into every room ready to give their best. That's the mission of the Teevens Center, which has already forged powerful partnerships and expanded its reach across campus. Chris and Gretchen's generosity will deepen this work, and we are grateful for their confidence in our students."
While at Dartmouth, Christopher Moore was a member of the varsity men's tennis team. He and his wife, Gretchen, are the parents of two current Dartmouth students: Ian '26, and Michela '27, a varsity student-athlete.
"Gretchen and I are thrilled to support Dartmouth's mental performance initiatives through the endowment of the Assistant Director for Leadership and Mental Performance position within the Teevens Center," said Moore. "We are confident that investing in mental performance will translate into improved outcomes for Dartmouth Athletics in competition. More importantly, we believe these capabilities will better prepare students to excel under pressure in the classroom and to become high-performing leaders long after their time at Dartmouth."
The Moores cited their firsthand observations of the significant challenges to young adult mental health during the period of COVID-related isolation as a motivating force behind their philanthropy. They believe resilience, mental adaptability, and performance skills are essential not only for athletics, but for navigating life's broader challenges, making investment in this role especially meaningful.
As the Moore Family Assistant Director for Leadership and Mental Performance, Kochanek will work across both DP2 and the Teevens Center to deliver leadership development and mental performance training programming. Teevens Center work is overseen by both Rosales and Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation.
"Chris and Gretchen's investment goes well beyond athletics," said Harrity. "By permanently anchoring this work at Dartmouth, they are helping ensure that we're supporting all students to be more resilient, more prepared to lead, and more capable of rising to whatever competition or life demands. We are grateful for their vision and their confidence in the lasting impact of the Teevens Center and DP2."
This marks the second endowed position focused on leadership and mental performance after a generous gift from Fritz Corrigan '64 and his family supported the Corrigan Family Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership and Mental Performance role in 2021.
Prior to joining Dartmouth, Kochanek spent four years at Springfield College in the Department of Physical and Health Education, where she also served as director of the Athletic Leadership master's program. In that role, she oversaw curriculum design, faculty collaboration, and student mentorship.
Kochanek earned her bachelor's degree from Amherst College, where she also played varsity soccer. She received her Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in sport psychology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2017, and her doctorate from Michigan State University in 2021.
"Jill brings a wealth of expertise, passion, and energy to this role," said Moore. "We are confident she will have an immediate and lasting impact on Dartmouth's students."
Endowed positions provide Dartmouth with vital, sustained resources to support its most pressing priorities, including student well-being, program innovation, and long-term excellence. Gifts to Dartmouth Athletics and Recreation elevate the student-athlete experience and advance Dartmouth's mission to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership.
