NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Smith College Director of Athletics & Recreation, Kristin Hughes, has announced the appointment of Jessica Duff, as the Pioneers Associate Director of Athletics. 

"We are so excited to welcome Jess Duff to Smith College," said Hughes. "Her experience as a Division III athlete and administrator will enhance our vision of excellence for all student-athletes, coaches and programs. There is no doubt that Jess will bring with her the energy, drive and commitment to support student success on multiple levels. We are anxious to have her join our team."

Duff comes to Smith after two years at Bates, where she served as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services & Internal Operations. She was a member of the senior administration team and helped to provide strategic leadership and vision in the oversight of community engagement initiatives, social justice, student-athlete conduct and leadership development. Duff was instrumental in the creation of the Bates Athletics Agents of Change, a group committed to ensuring an equitable athletics experience for all student-athlete, coaches and staff.

Prior to joining Bates in 2019, Duff spent two years as Special Assistant to the Athletics Director and Department Head at MIT. During her time in Cambridge, she provided administrative support, facilitated and coordinated special projects and strategies in the areas of external communications, development and fundraising, and student-athlete development. She also served as co-director for the Student-Athlete Leadership Program. In 2018 she was co-recipient of the Division of Student Life Infinite Mile Award of Building Community: Inclusion and Diversity Award.

"I am so humbled to join the Smith College Athletics community, a place that not only has such a rich history of women's athletics and recreation, but also one that provides a platform for student-athletes to grow and pursue their passions. I would like to thank Kristin Hughes for the opportunity to serve as Associate Athletic Director and look forward to helping build on the successes of the department and the chance to develop relationships, advocate for coaches and help student-athletes reach their full potential." 

After serving as a postgraduate intern for Division III Governance from 2015-16, Duff worked at the NCAA in Indianapolis as assistant coordinator of the Office of Inclusion from 2016-17. In that time, she established and maintained inclusive cultures through leadership, advocacy and education that supports student-athletes, coaches and administrators from diverse backgrounds, assisted with the support of association-wide committees, and collaborated with staff in providing resources to the membership. 

Duff is currently an advisory board member for Return on Inclusion and has attended the NCAA Leadership Academy Workshop, NCAA Convention and Inclusion Forum and is a graduate of the Women Leaders in College Sports Institute of Administrative Advancement. 

She was a varsity basketball and volleyball student-athlete at Wellesley College earning her bachelor's degree in women's studies. She went on to earn a master's degree in education from Tufts where she worked as a women's basketball graduate assistant from 2009-2012. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.