Nikki Ayers head shot with Roberts Pavilion behind her

Nikki Ayers Accepts Position as Athletic Director at Juniata College

CLAREMONT, Calif. – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps associate athletic director and senior woman administrator Nikki Ayers will be stepping down to accept a new position as the athletic director at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania beginning on July 15, the college announced today.

Ayers will be returning to her alma mater, where she played soccer and majored in sports management. She was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2018, the first soccer player at Juniata, male or female, to earn induction. She was a four-time all-conference selection and still holds the program records for career goals, assists and points.

Ayers has spent the last six years in the athletic department with CMS, and was on board for all four of the NCAA women's national championships in CMS history, including three in 2017-18 (volleyball, women's golf, women's tennis) and another women's tennis championship this year. 

While with CMS, Nikki Ayers oversaw all NCAA and SCIAC compliance matters, monitored student-athlete eligibility, provided regular compliance education to all student-athletes, staff and coaches and prepared all annual compliance reports.  She also served as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics and worked as a liaison with campus offices regarding student-athlete development, recruitment and academic success. Her husband Jake has also served as Director of Facilities and Sport Operations at CMS, managing game-day operations for varsity athletic events as well as scheduling, care and maintenance of all athletic facilities

"I couldn't be more thankful for Nikki's hard work and expertise during her time at CMS, particularly all the help she provided and insight she shared as I transitioned here three years ago," said Erica Perkins Jasper, the William B. Arce Director of Athletics, Physical Education, & Recreation and George R. Roberts Fellow. "She has been an invaluable member of our leadership team, ardent supporter of our coaches and student-athletes, and a great friend to many. Everyone here at CMS shares great excitement for this incredible opportunity for Nikki and her family, and gratitude for everything they've done for our department." 

Prior to being the SWA, Ayers was also the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served as the tournament director for all NCAA postseason events, including the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Tennis Championships.

Ayers is also heavily involved in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), The National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIA) and Women Leaders in College Sports. She was also recently selected for the NCAA Pathway Program, a leadership development opportunity to help senior-level administrators prepare for the role of director of athletics or conference commissioner.

"I want to thank President Troha, Matthew Damschroder, Jason Moran, Heather Pavlik, Greta Hall, Ben Grant, Nikole Koening and Gerry Kruse for their service on the search committee," said Ayers. "I would also like to thank my colleagues at CMS- Erica Perkins Jasper, Randy Town and Steve Graves for all of their guidance and support over the last six years. My time and experiences with CMS truly prepared me for this next step and I couldn't imagine a place I would rather be than Juniata. My family and I are very much looking forward to being a part of the Juniata community again."