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Grace Ann Miller graphic for promotion to Associate AD for Academics and SWA

General Kirk Downs

Grace Ann Miller Promoted, Assumes SWA Role

NASHVILLE - Lipscomb Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson announced on Thursday the promotion of Grace Ann Miller to Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Senior Woman Administrator.

After serving as the Director of Academic Services for the past three years, Miller assumes the department's Senior Woman Administrator responsibilities from longtime administrator Dr. Lin Garner, who retired from the university in August following more than 33 years of dedicated service, including the last 20 years as SWA since the program moved to NCAA Division I.

 "Grace Ann has done tremendous work for the past three years as our Director of Academic Services and as a part of our Title IX team," Hutcheson said. "That experience, along with her law degree from Belmont University, her academic advising work before that with our women's basketball team, and her experience assisting in both academics and compliance while an undergrad and a law student have all given her a great base on which to build in the coming years.

"Even more important than her professional qualifications, I appreciate the heart she has for the college athletics experience and for equipping our student-athletes both here and after their playing days are over." 

As defined by the NCAA, the purpose of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports at the institutional, conference and national levels. It is the highest ranking female in each NCAA athletic department, excluding the athletic director.

Miller will lead the department when it comes to academics, eligibility, Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), coordinating with career services opportunities and more. She will also help represent Lipscomb Athletics on the conference level as the SWA and as a member of the senior administrative staff.

"I am very grateful to Hutch for having confidence in me and for giving me this opportunity," Miller said.  "I'm extremely excited to start this new role, and I want to thank Dr. Garner for everything she has taught me over the past three years."

"Along with the coaches and staff I have worked with along the way, John Ezell and Sherie Eubanks have also been incredibly helpful and I look forward to continuing my work with everyone in this new position. I am excited for the opportunity this position has given me to serve our coaches and athletes in a bigger way."

Under Dr. Garner and Miller's direction, Lipscomb athletics has been recognized as one of the top department's in the nation when it comes to academic excellence, which is a testament to the commitment of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

With an 87% graduation rate, the Bisons have claimed a league record six ASUN Conference Academic trophies. This past year 226 Lipscomb student-athletes were named to the 2019-20 ASUN Academic Honor Roll for earning a minimum 3.00 GPA.

"It will be exciting and interesting to see things from a higher level and be a part of conversations and decisions, not only in our department, but at the conference level," Miller said. "I'm hoping to further the work that Dr. G and I have been doing for the past three years and continue to grow our student development programs and SAAC participation." 

A native of Martin, Tennessee, Miller graduated cum laude from Lipscomb in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Law, Justice & Society. She later earned a Juris Doctor degree from Belmont's College of Law in 2017.

She first joined the Bisons in August 2015 as a Compliance and Academic Intern while also serving as Academic Advisor. In 2017, she assumed the role of Title IX Compliance Intern within the Office of Risk Management before moving full-time into athletics later that year.

Miller and her husband, Adam, - who is also a Lipscomb alumnus – have two kids: Hayes (3) and Henley (2 months).

THOUGHTS FROM VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH BRANDON ROSENTHAL:
"We've had the pleasure of working with Grace Ann for the past couple of years and it has truly been an awesome experience. She brings a level of professionalism to her job and it's exciting to see her move into this role. She has a wonderful disposition and one that's easy for the athletes to get behind.

"It's exciting to almost be 20 years into our Division I era and to see our success over that time on the court and also in the classroom, now its let's see what else is needed in terms of services that our athletes can benefit from. With her leadership and the academic development center, I have no doubt that this department will continue to grow into the future.

"One of Grace Ann's biggest attributes is the way she goes about treating and connecting with people. She's perfect for the position. All of this is on the heels of Dr. Lin Garner, who has always been great to us and someone that I love being able to call a friend. I ultimately want to thank her for her services as she was not only great to our volleyball program and department, but also to me coming to Lipscomb as a young coach and helping me develop the past 20 years."



 
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