Jacqueline Nicholson
Executive Director Intercollegiate Athletics
Jacqueline Nicholson
Executive Director Intercollegiate Athletics
Bio
Nicholson is a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A), currently serving as President for the 2022-23 academic year, and is an advisory board member for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). She is also a member of Women Leaders in College Sports as well as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Nicholson is a member of Women Leaders in College Sports as well as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). She recently finished a three-year turn as a member of the NCAA Division II Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field national committee as well as two years in the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association mentoring program. Nicholson will also serve as chair of the Liberty League Athletic Directors Council in 2022-23.
Prior to taking the reins at RIT, Nicholson spent the previous four years as Associate Athletics Director for Academics, Compliance and Student-Athlete Development at Albany State, including a six-month stint as interim Director of Athletics in 2019 with the NCAA Division II Golden Rams. Also serving as the department's Senior Women's Administrator, her primary responsibilities included coordination of academic advisement, compliance and student-athlete support services, while providing day-to-day oversight and strategic leadership for the department's 13 teams.
Nicholson has a strong background in student-athlete welfare and support services, including retention, gender equity and Title IX matters. She was responsible for implementing comprehensive department academic standards which yielded an overall GPA increase for three-straight years, and also coordinated NCAA compliance monitoring, founding a compliance committee comprised of multiple constituents across campus. Nicholson also implemented annual community service initiatives which led to a 75-percent increase in student-athlete engagement in its first year alone.
Prior to her time at Albany State, Nicholson spent a year and a half as Assistant Athletics Director for Academics at the University of Texas-San Antonio, providing oversight of the academic support services for the 17-team NCAA Division I department, while serving as academic advisor for the men's basketball and track & field programs. She spent the previous seven years at Norfolk State (Va.), including five as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services, coordinating the Student-Athlete Academic Support Office, managing three full-time academic coordinators, two interns and a graduate assistant in the NCAA Division I department.
Born in Lubbock, Texas, Nicholson grew up in Clayton, N.J. where she was a high school state champion hurdler in track & field and also played field hockey. She went on to a standout running career at Virginia Tech, graduating in 2005 with a degree in human development before adding a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2007. Nicholson began her professional career as an Academic Coordinator at her alma mater for two years.
Nicholson resides in Rochester with her daughter, Kylie.
In the News
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August 6, 2024
Frank Ritter Arena gets new life as an indoor turf arena
This summer, Ritter had synthetic turf installed on its floor and has been transformed into a new space for athletics. It will also be used to host university functions, Wellness classes, practices, and recreational activities, and be available for rent from outside interests.
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April 19, 2024
Rochester Institute of Technology breaks ground on new Tiger Stadium
The Democrat and Chronicle speaks to Jacqueline Nicholson, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, along with alumni, coaches, and lacrosse players about the excitement of a new home for men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams.
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April 18, 2024
RIT community gathers to break ground on Tiger Stadium
RIT breaks ground on Tiger Stadium, a $30 million project set to redefine the university's athletics landscape. Scheduled for completion in fall 2025, the stadium serves as a new home to the soccer and lacrosse teams and will elevate attendee and student-athlete experiences.
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September 7, 2023
Nicholson, Linhart appointed to NCAA committees
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February 16, 2023
Nicholson hosts ‘Coffee with an AD’ discussion