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Athletics Welcomes Phyllon Jackson as Associate AD

September 22, 2020
Submitted By: Sarah Boissonneault

The University of Hartford Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Phyllon Jackson as the new Associate Athletics Director/Compliance and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Hired on Aug. 24, 2020, Jackson will be the first person to serve in this role, which was created by Interim Athletic Director, Maria Feeley.

As the Associate Athletics Director/Compliance and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Jackson will provide leadership on the Department of Athletics’ initiatives on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and help further the University’s mission, core values and diversity initiatives. In this role, she will work directly with Hartford’s student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff, in addition to continuing to foster partnerships and relationships across the University of Hartford campus. 

Jackson will also chair the Department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which is charged with working to further promote an inclusive environment, identify and provide opportunities for intercultural experiences for student-athletes and staff, and promote a culture in which diversity and inclusion are integral parts of the student-athlete experience and part of the professional development of all members of the Department.

“We are so excited to have Phyllon be the first person to serve in this role,” said Feeley. “She brings years of experience and expertise in athletics compliance, academics and student success to Hartford. Most importantly, her compassion and desire to help student-athletes, coaches and staff make her the perfect fit for our first-ever Associate Athletic Director/Compliance and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I know she will make an immediate impact within the Department of Athletics, and throughout the University of Hartford campus and community!"

Jackson, who brings extensive athletics and higher education experience in diversity, equity and inclusion, athletics academic support and advisement, and NCAA compliance, joins the Hawks from Kentucky State University. In her two years at Kentucky State, she served as the Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), with responsibilities in internal operations.

Prior to arriving at Kentucky State, Jackson spent four years at Chicago State University. Beginning that stint as an Academic and Compliance Coordinator, she was elevated to Associate Athletic Director and SWA for the final two years. Jackson also spent six years as an Academic Counselor and Tutor Coordinator at North Carolina Central University, where she also worked as the Program Coordinator for the Eagles’ NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program.

In addition to her experience in athletic administration, Jackson has a plethora of higher education experience. She has spent time at Greenville Technical College, Central State University and Cleveland State University.

“I am ecstatic to be a part of the Hawks family and the University of Hartford community,” said Jackson. “I would like to thank Interim Athletic Director Maria Feeley and the search committee for the opportunity to be a part of the Hartford family. I look forward to building relationships with our campus partners as we continue to holistically strive for excellence in academics and athletics.”

Jackson, who has attended the WLS Institute for Administrative Advancement, is currently a member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Professionals (N4A) and Women Leaders in College Sports (WLS). The Cleveland, Ohio, native earned a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University, an MPA from Cleveland State University and EdD degree in Higher Education from Grand Canyon University.

She joins the University of Hartford from Kentucky State University where she served as the Associate Athletic Director, and in her previous roles she has served as an Athletics Senior Woman’s Administrator, and brings extensive athletics and higher education experience in diversity, equity and inclusion, athletics academic support and advisement, and NCAA compliance.