05/15/2025

Dear Campus Community,

Following an extensive and highly competitive national search, I’m pleased to announce that we have named Dr. Chelsea Herman as Puget Sound’s next Athletics Director. Dr. Herman is the former Deputy Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator at California State University, San Bernardino. She will begin at Puget Sound on Monday, June 30.

Dr. Herman earned her PhD in Sport Ethics and Sports Administration at the University of Idaho, writing her dissertation on “Athletic Identity & Transitional Loss: An Ethical Obligation to Assist NCAA Athletes Through the Retirement Process.” She also earned a Master of Education in Sport Ethics and Sports Administration at the University of Idaho and an Executive MBA at California State University, San Bernardino.

In her role as Deputy Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator at Cal State, San Bernardino, she was responsible for marketing, athletics communications, ticketing and game operations, facilities, and in-game fan/student-athlete experience. Dr. Herman was promoted to that position after serving as the Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator for the four years prior. Prior to Cal State, San Bernardino, Dr. Herman spent six years at Seattle University, including two years as its Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator. At Seattle University, her duties included coordinating the school’s NCAA compliance program, especially dealing with initial student-athlete eligibility and admissions as well as continuing rules education for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff.

A collaborative and mission-driven leader, Dr. Herman brings two decades of senior-level leadership to Puget Sound, along with a commitment to the transformative development of scholar-athletes, coaches, and staff.

I’d like to offer my deep appreciation to the search committee, who, in partnership with Parker Executive Search, selected four extremely qualified finalists to bring to campus in late April. The search committee is named below.

I would also like to take a moment to offer heartfelt appreciation to Jeff Thomas, who has served Puget Sound as Interim Athletic Director since early December. Jeff’s service in this role has earned him the highest regard in our scholar-athlete community and among the Athletics staff as a whole. His leadership and team spirit have exemplified what it means to be a Logger.

Please join me in appreciation for these individuals who have made this search and transition process successful, and in welcoming Dr. Herman to the Puget Sound community!

Warmly,

Sarah Comstock | Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students

—

Athletic Director Search Committee

  • Moe Stephens, Senior Associate Dean of Students - Committee Chair
  • Mike Askew, Warehouse Operations Manager and Lead Pool Technician, Facilities Services
  • Hyla Chatham ’25, undergraduate student
  • Jake Elorduy ’26, undergraduate student
  • Lea Fortman, Associate Professor, Economics
  • Zoe Fowler ’25, undergraduate student
  • Meredith Frost ’08, Athletic Trainer, Interim Senior Woman Administrator
  • Lorna Hernandez Jarvis, Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity
  • Peter Hodum, Professor, Biology and Chair, Environmental Studies and Sciences & Faculty Athletics Representative
  • Lisa Kushiyama, Men’s and Women’s Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
  • David Latimer, Professor and Chair, Physics
  • Betty Popenuck ’14, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
  • Erin Shagren ’88, P’17 , Trustee and Co-Chair, Campaign Steering Committee
  • Daniel Wani ’27, undergraduate student
  • Elizabeth Wormsbecker, Associate Director of Student Employment Programs, Training, and Development


Committee support:

  • Meara O’Malley, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Erin Ruff, Director of Human Resources for People Experience