Akron Names Wallgren Senior Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator

Follow Zips Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie has announced the appointment of Jackie Wallgren as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator.

Wallgren's hiring is pending approval by the University's Board of Trustees.

"Jackie is a proven leader with the talent, presence and vision to align our department-wide efforts on delivering mission-driven priorities and strategies," Guthrie said. "While Jackie's focal point will be on the sports oversight, compliance and student service operations of the department, she will be a key member of our leadership team and will be counted on to make many of the day-to-day decisions."

In her role, Wallgren will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for broad supervision of the athletic department's internal units, which include Title IX, compliance, academic support services, SAAC and sports oversight in women's golf, women's lacrosse, rifle, men's and women's soccer, softball, swimming & diving and volleyball.

"I would like to thank Charles (Guthrie), the search committee, and the University of Akron for this incredible opportunity, as well as thank CSU Pueblo and Pack athletics for preparing me to make this next step in my professional journey," Wallgren commented. "I am excited to join the Zips and look forward to building strong relationships with the student-athletes, coaches and staff, and the greater Akron community."

Wallgren comes to Akron after nearly six years in her role as senior associate athletics director at Colorado State Pueblo where she provided leadership, strategic planning, and oversight for the ThunderWolves' 21-sport athletic program.

Wallgren joined the CSU Pueblo staff in September 2015 and rose from assistant director to senior associate athletics director before assuming the role of deputy director of athletics in January of 2020. During her entire tenure at CSU Pueblo, Wallgren served as the ThunderWolves' senior woman administrator.

An instrumental leader at CSU Pueblo, Wallgren was tabbed to the Division II Management Council in January 2021. The Management Council reports directly to the Presidents Council and is charged with recommending administrative policy and regulations that govern the division.

Wallgren served as a member of the strategic plan advising team as part of the 10-person steering committee with Vision 2028, which was tasked with formulating a bold and dynamic vision for CSU Pueblo with the intent of differentiating the campus, revitalizing campus and community members, and stimulating enrollment growth. The committee's efforts were highlighted by CSU Pueblo Athletics receiving $2.3 million from the CSU System as part of its strategic initiatives.

Her enhanced role reflected additional responsibilities with budget oversight, the department's five-year financial plan and the oversight and guidance the department's strategic plan, developed in the summer of 2018.

Wallgren's work on campus wasn't limited to Vision 2028, as she engaged in cross-functional campus committees, including University Leadership Team, Title IX, HLC Accreditation, Enrollment Management, Retention, Institutional Effectiveness, and CARES Team. Additionally, she chaired the RMAC Championships Committee, and at the NCAA level, was a member of the women's golf regional advisory committee.

In her role with the ThunderWolves, Wallgren served as a member of the department's senior leadership team, and provided oversight in the areas of internal operations, NCAA compliance, NCAA and RMAC reporting, and student-athlete development. She also acted as the deputy Title IX coordinator for athletics and is the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Wallgren was the sport program administrator for men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, and softball. Additionally, she supervised the sports medicine and strength and conditioning departments, as well as the academic support for student-athletes.

Wallgren came to CSU Pueblo after stints at Texas A&M University-Commerce (2014-15) and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2013-14), acting in compliance roles at both universities.

Prior to her move to NCAA Division II in 2013, Wallgren served as the assistant to the commissioner for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and worked in the life skills department for the University of Nebraska. She got her start in intercollegiate athletics as a graduate assistant in football operations at the University of North Carolina.

In 2007, Wallgren graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor's degree in business administration and went on to earn a master's degree in exercise and sport science (sport administration) from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2009.

A native of Superior, Wis., Wallgren was a four-year letterwinner in women's soccer at Wisconsin-Superior and was named the school's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She currently serves on the Alumni Board at UW-Superior.

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Names Wallgren Senior Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator

Related Videos