SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2023) – UC Santa Barbara Athletics is thrilled to welcome Maddison Ittner as the newest Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services, Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Jessica Goerke announced today.
"We are excited to welcome Maddison to the Gaucho family," Goerke said. "Her enthusiasm and commitment to student-athlete success is absolutely contagious, and I look forward to seeing how our advising unit grows under her leadership."
Ittner comes to UC Santa Barbara from fellow Big West institution, CSUN. She spent the last five years serving the Matador student-athletes, beginning her career as an assistant learning specialist and moving her way up to senior athletic academic advisor. In her most recent role as the senior athletic academic advisor, she worked with the men's basketball and women's water polo teams, traveling and providing support to those teams. Along with that, Ittner oversaw over 40 assistant learning specialists, peer learning assistants and tutors that helped CSUN's student-athletes excel in the classroom.
"I'm elated by the opportunity to join the UC Santa Barbara Athletics as the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services," Ittner said. "I want to give a big thank you to Kelly Barsky and Jessica Goerke for paving the way in athletic academic advising on this campus and I look forward to our continued collaboration as we support and empower the student-athletes at UC Santa Barbara. These two women have created an environment where the student-athlete experience is at the forefront and thus elevates the academic and athletic successes of this population on a phenomenal campus. With my background in teaching and student-centered, equitable academic support practices, I'm excited to dive into a thriving department and continue to foster support and development of both the athletic academic advisors and the student-athletes at UC Santa Barbara. I look forward to the professional growth this position will provide for me."
Ittner received both her master's and bachelor's degrees in sociology from CSUN. She is also a member of the National Academic Advising Association and Women Leaders in Sports and is on the membership committee of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association. She will begin in this role today, Sept. 5.
