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Heather Ryan Promoted; Assumes SWA Role
6/1/2020 3:00:00 PM | Athletics
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White announced on Monday the promotion of Heather Ryan to Associate Director of Athletics/Academic Services & Senior Woman Administrator.
A member of the Duke Athletics staff since 2005, Ryan assumes the department's Senior Woman Administrator responsibilities from Jacki Silar, who is set to retire from the university at the end of the month following 41 years of dedicated service, including the last 25 years as SWA. Previously, Ryan held positions of Academic Coordinator and Director of Academic Support before being promoted to Executive Director of Academic Support in July of 2014.
"To be sure, we are absolutely thrilled that Heather has agreed to serve as Duke's next Senior Woman Administrator," said White. "Given Heather's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the student-athlete, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be an effective advocate and champion for all Duke student-athletes as the SWA. Her unique ability to connect with student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff, coupled with her intense passion and unabashed integrity will serve Heather well as she takes on this critically important role for Duke Athletics."
Ryan's appointment as Duke's SWA includes an initial five-year term. As defined by the NCAA, the purpose of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports. In this role, Ryan will report to Senior Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff Nina King.
Additionally, Ryan joins the athletics department's Executive Staff, the top administrative leadership unit under White.
"I am delighted Heather Ryan has been appointed Duke's new SWA," said Martha Putallaz, a professor of psychology and neuroscience who serves as Duke's Faculty Athletic Representative. "Heather is certain to bring the same high level of passion and commitment to the role that she continually has demonstrated throughout her tenure working with and advocating for student-athletes. Additionally, she has accrued a wealth of experience from her years of service on internal, ACC and NCAA committees. I look forward to working with Heather in her new role."
Ryan has held administrative and oversight duties with Duke's volleyball and women's lacrosse programs and is a member of the department's Integrative Performance Excellence Group, National Girls and Women in Sport Executive Committee and Football Leadership Group.
On the national landscape, Ryan currently serves as chair of both the NCAA 4-2-4 Transfer Waiver Committee and the NCAA Region 3 Post Graduate Scholarship Committee. She also is the active vice chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Women's Lacrosse Committee. On Duke's campus, Ryan serves as a panelist for the Institutional Undergraduate Conduct Board, is a member of the Athletic Oversight Committee and mentors students as a Trinity pre-major advisor.
Ryan, who came to Duke after serving as the Director of Academic Services in the athletic department at Tulane University, spearheads academic assistance for the Blue Devil women's basketball and football programs and coordinates day-to-day support activities in the Johnson-Campbell Academic Support Center.
A native of Goodland, Ind., Ryan graduated from Indiana University in 1997 with a degree in sports marketing and management and later earned a master's degree in college student personnel with an emphasis in counseling and development from Purdue University in 2002. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational leadership, policy and human development from N.C. State University with an anticipated graduation date of May, 2021.
#GoDuke
A member of the Duke Athletics staff since 2005, Ryan assumes the department's Senior Woman Administrator responsibilities from Jacki Silar, who is set to retire from the university at the end of the month following 41 years of dedicated service, including the last 25 years as SWA. Previously, Ryan held positions of Academic Coordinator and Director of Academic Support before being promoted to Executive Director of Academic Support in July of 2014.
"To be sure, we are absolutely thrilled that Heather has agreed to serve as Duke's next Senior Woman Administrator," said White. "Given Heather's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the student-athlete, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be an effective advocate and champion for all Duke student-athletes as the SWA. Her unique ability to connect with student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff, coupled with her intense passion and unabashed integrity will serve Heather well as she takes on this critically important role for Duke Athletics."
Ryan's appointment as Duke's SWA includes an initial five-year term. As defined by the NCAA, the purpose of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports. In this role, Ryan will report to Senior Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff Nina King.
Additionally, Ryan joins the athletics department's Executive Staff, the top administrative leadership unit under White.
"I am delighted Heather Ryan has been appointed Duke's new SWA," said Martha Putallaz, a professor of psychology and neuroscience who serves as Duke's Faculty Athletic Representative. "Heather is certain to bring the same high level of passion and commitment to the role that she continually has demonstrated throughout her tenure working with and advocating for student-athletes. Additionally, she has accrued a wealth of experience from her years of service on internal, ACC and NCAA committees. I look forward to working with Heather in her new role."
Ryan has held administrative and oversight duties with Duke's volleyball and women's lacrosse programs and is a member of the department's Integrative Performance Excellence Group, National Girls and Women in Sport Executive Committee and Football Leadership Group.
On the national landscape, Ryan currently serves as chair of both the NCAA 4-2-4 Transfer Waiver Committee and the NCAA Region 3 Post Graduate Scholarship Committee. She also is the active vice chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Women's Lacrosse Committee. On Duke's campus, Ryan serves as a panelist for the Institutional Undergraduate Conduct Board, is a member of the Athletic Oversight Committee and mentors students as a Trinity pre-major advisor.
Ryan, who came to Duke after serving as the Director of Academic Services in the athletic department at Tulane University, spearheads academic assistance for the Blue Devil women's basketball and football programs and coordinates day-to-day support activities in the Johnson-Campbell Academic Support Center.
A native of Goodland, Ind., Ryan graduated from Indiana University in 1997 with a degree in sports marketing and management and later earned a master's degree in college student personnel with an emphasis in counseling and development from Purdue University in 2002. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational leadership, policy and human development from N.C. State University with an anticipated graduation date of May, 2021.
#GoDuke
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