In the heart of West Philadelphia, Katerina Bezhani, a senior in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, is making a profound impact through her passion for youth development and community building. Through founding KAT Academy, a social entrepreneurship initiative offering soccer, tennis and leadership programs, Bezhani has dedicated her career to ensuring accessibility and inclusion in sports-based youth development.
Born in Germany to Albanian parents, Bezhani moved to the U.S. at the age of seven when her father, a biologist, received a research opportunity at the University of Pennsylvania. Growing up in West Philadelphia, she found her place through soccer and tennis, eventually discovering sports-based youth development in high school through the Starfinder Foundation.
“Starfinder introduced me to sports as a vehicle for social-emotional learning and leadership,” she recalls. “That foundation shaped my career and inspired me to create something similar in my own community.”
Bezhani’s journey, however, had some detours. After graduating high school in 2015, she committed to Temple University as a kinesiology major. She quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. With a lot going on in her personal life, she decided to take a break to reevaluate. Bezhani returned to coaching at Starfinder, which solidified her passion for youth sports development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a neighborhood youth pod, organizing soccer and tennis sessions that laid the foundation for KAT Academy.
“Parents kept asking if I had an after-school program,” she says. “That’s when I realized—why not create one?” KAT Academy was officially founded in 2021.
“I never want money to be a barrier to access,” she emphasizes. That philosophy is reflected in the academy's “pay what you can” model, making sports training and leadership development available to all children, regardless of financial background.
Her program over the years has grown organically and steadily, serving students from local schools like Penn Alexander and forming partnerships with organizations such as the Parent Infant Center and Belmont Charter School. Through after-school programs and summer camps, Bezhani creates a space where young athletes can thrive, not just physically, but emotionally and socially.
“Traditional sports programs can be rigid and not always beginner-friendly,” she says. “I wanted to create something more inclusive, where kids could grow as athletes and as individuals.”
Bezhani’s vision for Kat Academy is not just to develop strong athletes, but to build good people.
“My curriculum blends sports training with leadership development. Every program integrates fundamental skills and drills alongside teamwork exercises and leadership themes,” she shares. “The foundation of our program is what we call the REACH Agreement: Readiness, Empathy, Attitude, Communication and Hard Work. Each week is centered around one of these values, and every activity reinforces those principles.”
Reflecting on her own upbringing, Bezhani says she can’t stress enough the importance of sports to one’s development.
“Sports are a tool—an incredibly powerful one—for character development,” she adds. “Research has shown that learning through play is one of the most effective ways for kids to internalize life skills. My program is designed so that kids not only stay physically active but also learn how to work as a team, how to win and lose graciously, and how to build confidence and resilience. The goal is that they walk away not just with technical skills, but with a sense of character and leadership.”
Bezhani’s multicultural background has played a huge role in shaping how she approaches community, leadership and sports. She has a deep appreciation for diversity, and that’s reflected in everything she does.
“My upbringing has given me a strong sense of empathy. Inclusivity is at the core of my program. Many of my participants come from different backgrounds—some are international students; others are from the local community—but my goal is always to create a space where differences are seen as strengths,” she says.
Growing up, Bezhani shared she struggled with imposter syndrome—being Albanian, born in Germany, and then moving to the U.S., she says she never felt like she fully belonged anywhere.
“But sports were always my home. On the field, none of those labels mattered,” she shares. “That’s something I want to pass on to my students: that being part of a team gives you a shared identity, a sense of belonging and a place where you can learn and grow without fear. KAT Academy is built on that belief—that sports can be a safe space for kids to develop not just as athletes, but as people who embrace teamwork, leadership and resilience.
Bezhani made the decision to return to school in 2023 as an adult learner after two years of running the Academy and working at Starfinder.
“I had always wanted to finish school, but I wasn’t sure how to make it apply to my life,” she says. “But by 2023, when I felt more confident in my career choice and knew what I had to offer, I realized the need for a stronger education foundation to expand my knowledge and gain credibility.”
Given Bezhani’s career in social entrepreneurship and nonprofit work, returning to Temple University was the perfect fit. As an adult learner, she met with Neal Conley, director of the academic resource center, who guided her to the CEHD’s human development and community engagement (HDCE) program.
Bezhani found her ideal academic home. She is on the +1 accelerated master's (dual-degree) program path, set to earn her bachelor’s this May and her master’s in adult learning, training and organizational development next year.
“The HDCE program has been amazing. Everything I learn directly applies to my work,” she says. “From curriculum design to community partnerships, each course sharpens my craft. It’s like a continuous feedback loop—what I learn in class, I apply immediately.”
Bezhani credits CEHD’s faculty, including Senior Academic Advisor Shani Beaufort, Assistant Professor Kelly McGinn, Assistant Professor of Instruction Meghan Raisch, Assistant Professor of Instruction Shana Levi-Nielsen, Associate Professor of Instruction Lori Shorr, Adjunct Professor Leah Hetzell and Adjunct Assistant Professor Ross Whiting, for their mentorship and support.
A recipient of donor-based scholarships (the Jesse Ball Dupont Scholarship and the Lon Greenberg Endowed Scholarship), she acknowledges that financial assistance has played a crucial role in her educational journey. “Temple has made it possible for me to balance school, my business and my work.”
As part of the HDCE coursework, Bezhani was required to complete a number of internship and fieldwork hours. She was able to fulfill this requirement through an expanded role with Starfinder Foundation, where she has been for eight years.
“Now, I’m in a more leadership-oriented role, but the area I have less experience in is development and communications. So, I’ve focused my internship on gaining new skills in that space. Managing people is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of my work. I want to continue growing as a mentor and leader,” she shares.
Balancing college on top of her business and work has been overwhelming at times.
“Honestly, I don’t even know how I manage it all,” she says. “But the way that I think of it is, my plate is overflowing, but I love what's on my plate, and so that helps me get through the day to day.”
Looking ahead, she envisions KAT Academy expanding its team and partnerships while maintaining its grassroots, community-centered approach.
“I want to keep it local, hire local coaches and ensure that our program remains a resource for West Philly,” she shares, noting that she was able to hire her first employee this year, a peer from the HDCE program.
Talking about future goals, Bezhani also envisions herself in academia, possibly pursuing a PhD in organizational leadership.
“The more knowledge you have, the more power you have to create change. Teaching could be another way for me to give back,” she adds.
Bezhani’s commitment extends beyond sports—she sees her role as a community leader and mentor.
“My community in West Philly has invested in me. That’s why I’ve been able to continue doing KAT Academy and support myself.”
Her guiding philosophy is simple but powerful: “If you stay consistent with something and nurture it, it will grow. I want to leave my community better than I found it. If I can do that through sports and leadership, then that’s a legacy worth building.”
Through KAT Academy, her work at Starfinder, and her studies at Temple, Katerina Bezhani is proving that passion, education and perseverance can create lasting change. As she continues her journey, one thing is clear—she is just getting started.