jacksonville, florida – Edward Waters University, Florida’s oldest HBCU, made history Tuesday by announcing that it will be the first African-American woman to lead its track and field division in the university’s 155-year history.
Dr. Ivana Rich was welcomed as the new Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at a press conference held at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports and Music Complex.
“Here at Edward Waters, especially on the 50th anniversary of Title IX, I am thrilled to show that we need women leaders and that we can do this and take that seat. I think it’s very important,” Rich said.
A proud mother and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Rich knows the HBCU scene well. Her previous HBCUs she has served include Norfolk State University, Howard University, and Virginia State University.
However, it does not contain a complete list of the colleges Rich worked for. Also, previously Robert worked as a Sports Academic Support He Counselor at Morris College. She was a volleyball coach at Coastal Carolina University and a volunteer assistant coach at Changwan University.
Rich came to EWU after seven years at Norfolk State University. There she held a variety of positions, including acting director of sports, associate of foreign affairs, she was athletic director, and senior women’s administrator. She was also the Division’s Head of Diversity and Inclusion and Deputy Coordinator for Title IX.
EWU President A. Zachary Faison Jr. said the college engages student-athletes, coaches, alumni, athletic administrators and faculty members in listening sessions to help guide them through the process of selecting the right individuals. position.
“What resonated most with me was the feedback from student-athletes and how Dr. Rich connected with them in an amazingly positive way,” Faison said.
“To be offered a position and to be a finalist for that position, I felt like things were going well,” Rich said. I felt like I had found a home when I said, ‘It’s the selection process.'”
Rich earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University and was a senior captain in volleyball, helping lead the Lady Rams to their first regular season conference championship in the school’s history.
He holds a master’s degree in sports management from Virginia State University, a master’s degree in human service counseling from Liberty University, and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching/educational technology from the University of South Carolina.
She graduated from the NCAA Women Coaches Academy and is a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics and Women Leaders in College Sports. Rich is also a member of the 2022 NCAA Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute and currently she serves as subcommittee leader of the N4A Ethnic Concerns Regional Outreach Committee.
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