HICKORY, N.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne Vice President for Athletics Kim Pate has announced the promotion of Katrina DeVore to the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations/SWA. DeVore previously served as the Assistant AD/Associate Head Athletic Trainer and had also previously held the SWA role at Lenoir-Rhyne.
"I am thrilled to elevate Katrina to the Senior Associate AD role," commented Pate. "In her time at Lenoir-Rhyne, Katrina has proven to be an invaluable member of our administrative leadership team and has demonstrated her ability to execute and lead in a variety of roles. She has the skill set and work ethic to thrive in this new position while continuing to make a positive impact on our student-athlete experience."
"I am excited and humbled to be offered this great opportunity," said DeVore. "I appreciate the confidence that Kim Pate and Dr. Whitt have in me. I have had great mentorship from the athletic admin team over the past few years and feel prepared to take this step due to the investment of others in me. I feel blessed to be a part of an institution that cares so much about each individual."
As Assistant AD, DeVore had served on the athletics administrative leadership team for the past two years and was responsible for heading up a number of departmental initiatives while also representing the university at conference and national meetings. DeVore served as the co-chair of the Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Committee, coordinated Title IX sexual assault education and programming with the campus Title IX office, assisted with gender equity planning and reviewed and coordinated key initiatives for alcohol and drug education working in collaboration with the Cornerstone Counseling staff. She has also provided leadership and support to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and oversaw the planning on behalf of SAAC for the end of year Bears Choice Awards ceremony for the past two years. Katrina has also been instrumental in reestablishing a campus student-athlete led Apple Club focused on substance abuse prevention and health promotion of college athletes. She took a student-athlete leadership group to the NCAA Apple Institute this past year to learn how to apply the APPLE model within the athletics department to prevent student-athlete substance abuse and promote health and wellness. Katrina was also designated on behalf of Lenoir-Rhyne to attend the NCICU Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) "Train the Trainer" instructor training program this past spring.
In her new role, DeVore will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team for athletics. She will be responsible for assisting with the overall strategic planning, implementation, administration, direction, and supervision of the athletic department. One of her primary roles will be to serve as the athletics chief financial officer and oversees all athletic department internal operations. She will be responsible for all business operations, budget management, providing support for compliance operations, facilities and game day operations, and transportation. She will also serve as a primary liaison to key partners across campus including human resources, academics/office of student-success, admissions, student life, housing, financial aid, multicultural affairs, etc. Katrina will have sport oversight and be involved with developing new policy to meet the changing landscape of campus, SAC and NCAA guidelines. As the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), she will serve on the South Atlantic Conference Athletics Council and on various SAC and NCAA committees as needed.
DeVore graduated from the Lenoir Rhyne Athletic Trainers Master's Program in 2014. She returned to serve as an athletic trainer in 2017 and most recently was the main contact for women's soccer, softball and spirit. DeVore played a key role on the Athletics COVID task force and was a driving force in keeping the greater campus safe as well as developing return to play protocols. She also worked as MD Liaison for policy creation and review, served as drug testing coordinator and oversaw emergency action planning and preparation. DeVore has also provided valuable leadership for the athletic training staff and interns in her role as Associate Head Athletic Trainer.
