FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fulton, Mo. – June 30, 2025: Jessica Brown, Ph.D., of Naperville, Illinois, was named Westminster’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics during an 11 a.m. press conference on the College’s campus.
The exciting announcement followed an extensive national search that took place after Derek Zander, who led the department from May 2023 to March 2025, transitioned to a position as Westminster’s new Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services. That strategic shift resulted in Brown being chosen as the best candidate to lead Intercollegiate Athletics into a new era of Blue Jays sports.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Jessica Brown to the Westminster campus community,” Zander said. “Athletics is an important part of Westminster College, and I know that under Jessica’s leadership, we will continue to reach new heights for our student-athletes, both competitively and in the classroom.”
Brown comes to Westminster with extensive experience in executive leadership of athletics departments and student affairs. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics at North Central College in Naperville, where she directly oversaw 11 departments, more than 80 full-time and part-time employees, 26 NCAA sports teams composed of over 1,000 athletes and a budget exceeding $2 million.
During her tenure at North Central, Brown strategically led and oversaw five national championships ― three in women’s triathlon, one in football, and one in women’s wrestling ― as well as more than 40 championships for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
At North Central, Brown developed an athletic fundraising plan that strategically bridged the gap between athletics and the advancement office, leading to the athletic department achieving its $600,000 giving goal. Student-athlete retention numbers at that time also remained in the 80th percentile.
Brown also brings extensive athletic administration experience to Westminster after serving at North Central as a member of the NCAA DIII Management Council, NCAA Honors Committee and NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Prior to North Central, Brown worked at Eureka College from 2014 to 2021, where she most recently served as Dean of Student Services, Engagement and Leadership.
Brown was also Eureka’s head women’s volleyball coach, Senior Woman Administrator, Title IX Coordinator and residential and retention programs director.
Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brown earned a B.S. in Recreation, Health and Human Development from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She received an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, before going on to earn her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
“This is a tremendous leadership opportunity to lead within such a historic institution that has leveraged athletics to foster a sense of belonging for student-athletes, coaches and community members,” Brown said, adding, “I am grateful to Derek, President Lofe, and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity.”
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS AND WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, boasts 19 varsity sports teams and is a member of the NCAA Division III, the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Westminster is ranked prestigiously by The Princeton Review as one of 151 “Best Colleges in the Midwest” for 2026. Westminster is one of just 37 Higher Learning Commission-accredited institutions nationwide to be fully aligned with the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition. New graduates experience a more than 90% placement rate within six months of graduation, while Westminster alumni are in the top 16% nationwide for graduate earnings. The only National Liberal Arts college in Missouri, Westminster has long been recognized for its focus on educating and inspiring students to make an impact on the world around them. Find out more about Westminster College by visiting our website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu.
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
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