New Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics

Dear University Community,

I'm delighted to announce that Nikki Ayers will join the University of Redlands as our new Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. This marks an exciting new chapter for Bulldog Athletics as we welcome a leader with a deep passion for student-athlete success, a strategic vision for the future, and a remarkable track record in collegiate athletics.

Nikki comes to us from Juniata College, where she served as Director of Athletics, overseeing 24 varsity sports and leading initiatives that enhanced athletic programs, facilities, and student engagement. While at Juniata, she served on the College's Leadership Council, contributing to improvements in the academic calendar, modernizing the athletic department, and working closely with the Vice President for Enrollment on a strategic plan for athletics enrollment, ensuring alignment between recruitment efforts and institutional goals.

Prior to Juniata, Nikki served as the Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Claremont McKenna College, a member of our SCIAC conference. Her time at Claremont has given her firsthand knowledge of the level of competition and collaboration that defines SCIAC institutions, making her exceptionally well-prepared to support our athletic programs and student-athletes. While at Claremont, she chaired the Title IX and Gender Equity Task Force, collaborating closely with their General Counsel to ensure best practices in compliance and equity.

In addition to her leadership at Claremont, Nikki also held key roles at Harvey Mudd College, Knox College, and Grinnell College, bringing years of experience in compliance, student success, financial management, and athletic operations. She also has a strong background in coaching, having served as the Assistant Women's Soccer at Juniata and Grinnell Colleges, and as Head Women's Soccer Coach and Director of Intramural Sports at Knox College. A standout on the soccer field during her undergrad years, Nikki was inducted into Juniata College Sports Hall of Fame for Women's Soccer in 2018.

Nikki holds a Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in Sports Leadership from Duquesne University and a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Juniata College. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in NCAA governance, chaired national committees, and spearheaded innovative strategies to support student-athletes' academic and athletic success. She was recently elected to a three-year term with the National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators, which represents administrators from over 350 institutions and conferences competing at the Division III level, further underscoring her leadership and impact in the field.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the search committee, led by Vice President for Enrollment Kevin Dyerly '00 '04, for their thoughtful deliberation and dedication throughout this process: Aliyah Anderson '26, Member of the Women's Basketball Team, Jimmy Bradley '20 '22, Systems Analyst, Vice President of URSA, Keith Gissel '91 '00, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions and Athletic Recruitment Coordinator, Kim Stafford Korinke '00, Trustee, Vice Chair of the Trusteeship Committee, Dr. Liesder Mayea Rodríguez, Associate Professor of Modern Literature and Languages, Jim Schroeder '65, Trustee, Member of the Executive Committee, and Ericka Smith '06, Assistant Vice President for Advancement – Principal Gifts.

I also want to thank the broader Bulldog community, our students, faculty, staff, and coaches, who have played a role in this process. Your insights, engagement, and support have been invaluable in helping us identify the right leader for this critical role.

As we celebrate the incredible legacy of our retiring Director of Athletics, Jeff Martinez, we are equally excited for the future under Nikki's leadership. Her enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes will ensure that Bulldog Athletics continues to thrive.

Please join me in giving Nikki a warm Bulldog welcome as she steps into this historic role.

Sincerely,

Krista L. Newkirk
President