Illinois Springfield Interim Director of Athletics Jamarco Clark has announced the hiring of Nicole Hager as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance. Hager will take on various responsibilities, including overseeing academic advising for all undergraduate student-athletes, with a direct focus on guiding first- and second-year students. Additionally, she will serve as the main athletics liaison to several critical campus partners directly involved in enhancing the student-athlete experience.
"I am excited to welcome Nicole Hager back to UIS Athletics." shared Dr. Clark. "For seven years, Nicole was a consistent and influential contributor to the academic success of our student-athletes. Her return to the department will further enhance the excellent work our student-athletes have been doing in recent years. Furthermore, Nicole's extensive institutional knowledge will be invaluable as we begin this next chapter in UIS athletics."
"I am grateful to Dr. Clark for the opportunity to return to UIS Athletics and honored to assume this new position." shared Hager. "It is exciting to be back in Athletics, and I am eager to begin working with the student-athletes, coaches, and staff, as well as collaborating with campus partners to provide an outstanding student-athlete experience."
Hager has been with the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences since 2021 as the Program Coordinator and Advisor for English, History, and Liberal Studies. For the last five months she has also served as Interim Program Coordinator and Advisor working with the Criminology & Criminal Justice and Sociology/Anthropology programs, and the African American Studies and Women and Gender Studies minors. Hager is the Coordinator of First-Year Seminar, a role she has served in since 2021.
Hager previously worked with UIS student-athletes as the Director of Academic Support Services for Athletics from 2014-21. She administered academic support and assistance for 17 NCAA Division II sports and developed academic advising and programming to support student-athlete success.
Prior to UIS, Hager served as professor at Robert Morris University for eleven years. She has considerable experience with academic programs and retention initiatives related to student-athletes, as well as with honors program advising, teaching, assessment, and co-curricular initiatives.
Hager has a B.A. and M.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and Ph.D. work in American Literature from St. Louis University.
She resides in Springfield with her husband, Peter, and their daughter, Caroline.