Erin West was named Harvard’s Assistant Director of Athletics – Student-Athlete Development and Academic Integration during the fall of 2023.
In her role, West creates and implements a holistic student-athlete development plan to enhance and complement the valuable lessons learned in the classroom and during athletic competition. She also collaborates with campus partners to articulate and advance the unique needs of student-athletes, oversees the department’s academic integration program, incorporates and promotes civic engagement opportunities, and serves as the primary advisor to Harvard’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Prior to her current position, West was Harvard's Assistant Director of Athletics – Diversity, Inclusion and Student Development, a position she held since Feb. 2021. During her time in that role, West focused on Harvard Athletics' education and training, hiring practices, student and staff support, civic engagement, and prospective student-athlete recruitment. West was also charged with developing and assessing organizational effectiveness that reflected Harvard's commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging, while working with University constituents.
Moreover, West oversaw Harvard Athletics' Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Task Force, and the department's student affinity groups – SAAC, Women of Harvard Athletics (uWHA), Harvard Athletics Black Varsity Association (HABVA). At the NCAA level, West served as the Crimson's diversity and inclusion designee to communicate updates, reports, programming information and best practices from across the NCAA's membership.
Before transitioning to an Assistant Director of Athletics, West served an 18-month stint as Harvard's Assistant Director of Business Development. During her successful tenure, she identified, developed and managed the department's business development and event operations for large-scale, high-yield outside rental agreements. West also oversaw varsity contest management (men's and women's volleyball, wrestling, men's and women's soccer) and served as the program manager for men's and women's soccer, and assisted with cross country/track and field, and heavyweight rowing (both genders).
Prior to her role in business development, West was Harvard's Travel Operations and Intramural Coordinator from 2015-19. During her tenure, she coordinated travel for all 42 varsity sports, handled the Crimson's athletic facilities schedule, spearheaded coach and staff development workshops, and ran the house intramural program. West also served as the 2019 Ivy Indoor Heptagonal Track Championship Meet Director.
