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Getting To Kneaux: Ericka Lavender

by Judy Willson | Assoc. Communications Director
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Getting To Kneaux: Ericka Lavender

BATON ROUGE – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes has announced the hiring of Ericka Lavender as the Associate Director of Academic Affairs.

She will work directly with the Men’s Basketball, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball teams and have oversight of the Graduate Assistant Development Program. Lavender will also join the Executive Team and serve as the Chair of the Academic Standards and Politics Committee.

Lavender returns to LSU after spending the last five years as the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services at Toledo. She was responsible for the daily operations of the Student Athletic Academic Services office, coordinating academic support for the student-athletes.

“Bringing Ericka back to LSU will have a huge impact on the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes and the entire LSU community,” said CCACSA Executive Director Walt Holliday. “Her extensive experience in athletic administration and academic support will benefit the staff and our student-athletes.

“Ericka understands the importance of developing and enhancing relationships on campus through honesty, integrity and transparency to ensure we are working together towards the goal of graduating our student-athletes and preparing them for life after LSU.”

Lavender was previously on the LSU staff from 2009-15. She was the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs from 2009-13 and promoted to Associate Director of Academic Affairs in 2013. Prior to her first tour at LSU, Lavender served as an athletic academic counselor as Ohio State University from 2003-2008 before heading to North Carolina State University, where she served as the Assistant Director of Academic Studies until 2009.

Lavender, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, earned her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration from Ashland University in 2000 and her master’s degree in Sports Administration from Xavier University in 2003.

She is an active member in the National Association for Athletic Advisors since 2003 and is a current member of the Women Leaders in College Sports. Lavender is also involved in the Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement development program.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to come back home and work with such amazing people again,” said Lavender on her return to LSU. “I am very excited and ready to contribute to CCACSA team, LSU student-athletes, the LSU athletics department and campus community.”