Bronx, N.Y. – Makini Thompson, former Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator for Appalachian State University, was named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Welfare at Fordham University it was announced today by Director of Athletic Ed Kull.
In her position, Thompson will oversee the successful development and execution of programs and services related to student-athlete welfare and leadership development. She will be responsible for creating and maintaining a versatile program that can respond to the needs of the Fordham student-athletes. Thompson will also directly supervise selected sports and provides administrative guidance and support for those coaches and programs and serve as the Senior Women’s Administrator (SWA).
“We are thrilled to welcome Makini to the Fordham Family,” said Kull. “We were very impressed with her experience and credentials but even more impressed with her commitment to caring for the student-athlete. As a former student-athlete and head coach, she will bring a unique perspective to the position. She will be a tremendous addition to our staff.”
Thompson comes to Fordham after serving as the Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator for Appalachian State University from 2019-2022.
As App State’s Senior Associate AD/SWA, Thompson served on the department’s executive leadership team and was responsible for overseeing various areas of the department, including multiple sports, student-athlete support and human resources. She also served as the department’s liaison to the Chancellor’s office and worked closely with the Title IX office, general counsel, student affairs and other campus groups.
Prior to App State, Thompson served as Florida State University’s Assistant Athletic Director for Administration from 2016-2019 after serving as administrative coordinator on the executive staff from 2014-2016. In her role as Assistant Athletic Director, her primary responsibility was assisting with all aspects of personnel management and human resources. She also provided administrative oversight for the FSU spirit groups and the school’s travel partner.
Thompson returned to FSU after a two-year stop as the head volleyball coach at Division II Chowan University. As a head coach, she accumulated an overall record of 40-17. She won a CIAA Northern Division Championship and was named CIAA coach of the week three times.
Thompson is a 2008 graduate of Florida State, where she was a co-captain on the volleyball team. She was a two-time All-ACC team honoree and the third player in school history to earn AVCA All-American accolades with an Honorable Mention nod in 2006.
After her graduation from Florida State, she played professionally in Switzerland and competed on the Jamaican National Team.
Thompson is a member of Women Leaders in College Sports, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Minority Opportunity Athletic Association, Inc. (MOAA).
Thompson received her bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University in 2008 and earned her master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2015.