Lincoln University Director of Athletics and Recreational Services, Harry Stinson III, has unveiled an executive staff reorganization within the athletics department. With a goal of prioritizing growth within the department and strengthening organizational structure, three new Associate Athletic Director positions have been created. Current Assistant Athletic Directors, Mark Bennett, Kisha Middleton and Keith Merritt will be assuming the new roles. The trio joins Stinson (Director of Athletics & Recreational Services) and Joshua Dean, who was recently elevated to Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation and Alumni Engagement, as the athletics executive team.
"I'm thrilled to announce these elevations and changes to our department," stated Stinson. "These individuals are the bloodline of our organization and the key to success is to continue to progress and elevate. Mark, Kisha and Keith have a wealth of knowledge and experiences. This elevation focuses on their development as leaders, realigning the strengths of the department and helps our department grow to a new level."
Mark Bennett has been promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Internal Operations. He will continue to oversee compliance while also assisting with fiscal management, equipment management, facilities, risk management and internal policy development. In addition to increasing his sport supervisor portfolio, Bennett will oversee the Lincoln Athletics licensing program as well as the live streaming platform.
Kisha Middleton will move into the role of Associate Athletic Director for Competitive Excellence and continue to serve as the Senior Women's Administrator. In this role, she will oversee community engagement for student-athletes, manage the education program for Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), and oversee Title IX and Gender Equity. Middleton will continue to assist with CIAA and NCAA Championships travel & logistics, serve as the campus liaison for student-athlete wellness and mental health initiatives, along with overseeing Sports Medicine. Middleton will also oversee Lincoln Athletics ticketing operation and marketing teams.
Keith Merritt steps into the newly created position of Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Success. In his new capacity, He will oversee academic support areas including: academic advising, tutors and study hall. Merritt will also manage the student-athlete development programs, campus partnerships and assist with our strategic enrollment management program for athletics. Like Bennett, Merritt will also see an increase in his sports supervisor portfolio, while also overseeing the student-athlete employment program and assisting with managing game day operations.
"Our emphasis on people and serving coupled with the changing landscape of athletics requires us to pivot and move at a different pace," stated Stinson. "My focus is to ensure that we continue to elevate the Lincoln University brand and continue to build the championship culture of success. We start that through the development of our people and their skill sets. The elevation of Mark, Kisha and Keith allows us to strengthen our leadership team, provide continuous personal and professional development for them while still focusing on enhancing the student-athlete experience at Lincoln. I'm truly excited for the future of Lincoln."
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About Lincoln University
Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.
