University of the District of Columbia Athletics Director Patricia A. Thomas has announced the appointment of Jennifer Ziarko as associate director of athletics for academic support and senior woman administrator. Ms. Ziarko comes to the University from Georgetown University, where she served as academic coordinator for student athletes. In making the announcement Ms. Thomas stated, “Jennifer brings solid experience to her new position which strengthens our mission to provide opportunities for student-athletes to grow and excel academically, athletically and socially.  I am pleased to have Jennifer on board.”

At Georgetown, Ms. Ziarko was responsible for advising the women’s basketball team, serving as the academic liaison for coaching staff, athletic department, faculty, students and parents.  She also taught learning skills workshops to student athletes, conducted recruiting meetings with student athlete prospects, and advised teams on class registration and continuing eligibility.  Her duties also included mediating conflict resolutions between students, coaches and staff.

Her experience includes a stint at North Carolina State University where she served as an assistant academic advisor. Her responsibilities there included monitoring and reporting academic progress of the football student-athletes and managing daily study hall and study hall tutors. She also taught an introductory university course for student-athletes exploring the transition to college and career planning.

Ms. Ziarko also served as advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) at NC State. Other responsibilities there included supervising student-athletes and student workers during tutoring sessions, mentoring at-risk student-athletes, chairing the Committee for Office of Compliance and special event planning, including the Student-Athlete Scholar Banquet. Prior to going to NC State, she served as an intern at the University of Michigan and as a mental health counselor at the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital. 
 

Ms. Ziarko is a 2003 graduate of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University (2006).