Hampton Uniuversity Athletics Announces New Staff Appointments

HAMPTON, Virginia - Rodney D. Smith, administrative vice president at Hampton University has announced the appointment of Novelle Dickenson as the new athletics director, Alexiss Robinson as assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator and Kristen Drummond as compliance coordinator.

A university committee, made up of faculty, staff and administrators reviewed the credentials of thirty candidates over the past four months and conducted on-campus interviews with eight candidates for the position of director of athletics. The university was looking for an individual who was experienced in athletics and academics with a clear understanding of the need for balance between the two. In the end, the University assembled a team that would maximize skills and expertise for optimum athletics administrative leadership with a clear understanding of the role that academics play with student athletics.

“I believe Mr. Dickenson’s background in academics as well as athletics is a perfect fit for the athletic director position here at Hampton University,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. “He is passionate about Hampton athletics and is a staunch educator with more than 30 years of experience in the classroom and academic administration.”

Dickenson assumes duties today, August 2, replacing Interim Athletic Director Malcolm Avery, who held the position for the past four months. Dickenson is no stranger to Hampton or the athletic department having served as the faculty athletic representative for the past 12 years. Over the past three decades, Dickenson has also served as chair of the Hampton Department of Political Science and History, interim chair of the Department of Sociology, interim chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, pre-law advisor, faculty representative to the Hampton University Board of Trustees, member of the Tenure and Promotions Committee in the School of Liberal Arts.

Dickenson has served as President of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and is a former member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic/Eligibility and Compliance Cabinet, including the Continuing Eligibility sub-committee. Dickenson received his undergraduate degree in political science from Hampton University, a master’s degree in political science from Howard University, as well as completed further post-graduate studies at Howard University.

Robinson joins the staff as the assistant athletic director/SWA with direct oversight of academic support and compliance. She will also have joint oversight with the athletic director over athletic performance and trainers. She is a 2003 graduate of Hampton University and holds a Master of Science degree in kinesiology-athletic administration from Indiana University. She comes to Hampton after serving as director of student-athlete support services at Howard, assistant director of compliance and student services at Temple University and compliance coordinator at Norfolk State University.

Drummond, who has been named compliance coordinator, spent the last year at Hampton as a coordinator of athletic academic support. She was responsible for monitoring athletic eligibility and degree advancement, while also advising student-athletes of course selection, career planning and working with at-risk student-athletes. Drummond has served as athletic academic graduate intern at the University of Iowa and athletic Academic program specialist at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Drummond earned both a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

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