Jackson Earns Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) named University of Miami Assistant Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Development Shirelle Jackson as the recipient of the 2016 Nell Jackson Award.
The Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award is presented annually to an athletics administrator who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson. This award is given to an individual who demonstrates qualities such as courage, conviction and perseverance, and who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the 2016 Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year,” Jackson said. “I have the wonderful opportunity to work with some of the finest young people in the world today and I am so grateful for the opportunity the University of Miami has given my family and me. I also am thankful to work with such a strong group of athletics administrators, who truly care about the future of our student-athletes.”
Jackson is one of eight honorees that were recognized today by NACWAA. She will receive the award on Oct. 11 in Kansas City, Mo. at the 2016 Administrator of the Year Luncheon presented by AXA, in conjunction with the annual NACWAA National Rally.
“I could not be more excited and proud that NACWAA has chosen to recognize Shirelle,” said Deputy Athletics Director/SWA Jennifer Strawley. “Her passion and drive have made an indelible mark on our student-athlete community and her commitment to diversity and inclusion has transformed our athletics department.”
As the department’s Assistant Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Development, Jackson oversees the Hurricanes’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and directs all student-athlete advancement programs.
In just two short years, Jackson has transformed the Miami student-athlete experience by creating and implementing a comprehensive development area with a true commitment to diversity and inclusion for all Miami student-athletes and has served as a strong advocate for gender equality.
Jackson joined the athletics department as the Director of Student-Athlete Development in March 2014. She spent the previous five years in various capacities in the College of Arts and Sciences at UM.
Before arriving at UM, Jackson was the Director of Athletic Academic Support Services from 2005-08 at FIU, where she oversaw the management and operation of the school’s academic support program for its 400 student-athletes.
As a student-athlete, Jackson was a four-year letterwinner for the women’s track and field team at Bowling Green. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green in 1994 and her master’s degree in Counseling from Central Connecticut State in 1998.
She is married to Jason Jackson, who is the television host and courtside reporter for Miami Heat telecasts on Fox Sports. The couple has two children – Justin and Jordan.
The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) is the premier leadership organization that empowers, develops, assists, celebrates, affirms, involves and honors women working in college sports and beyond. NACWAA takes a pro-active role in advancing women into positions of influence and powerfully shapes the landscape of women leaders.
