Athletics Advisory Council

Appointed by: President

Reports to: President

Number of Members: 19

Faculty/Staff: 15

Faculty:  1

Ex officio:  2

Students:  1

Updated:  September 1, 2025


Purpose. Reports to the President. Serves as an advisory committee to the Athletics Director in matters pertaining to policy and procedures of intercollegiate athletics. Reviews annually all policies of the Conference and NCAA and recommends appropriate actions to the Athletics Director. Participates in the planning for future needs through evaluation of the overall scope, needs, and benefits of the athletics program. Such planning includes promoting athletics programs in the university environment and community and assisting in designing recruitment and persistent strategies that will provide access to and success of student-athletes in completing a degree program.

Member Appointments. The President makes all appointments, including the Faculty Representatives who serve an indefinite term. In order to provide for continuity of service, the 15 faculty/staff members serve staggered 4-year appointments. The University Faculty Senate nominates faculty members from the various colleges and the library for expiring terms each year. The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs nominates the faculty/staff for Academic Affairs. The President selects the members from the nominations. By virtue of position, the Chair of the Student Advisory Committee serves as a student representative for a one-year term. By virtue of the positions, the Director of Athletics and the Associate Athletic Director, and the Senior Women’s Administrator serve as Ex officio, nonvoting members. Re-appointments are permitted.

Chair Appointment. The council elects a Chair and a Chair-Elect.


Council Members


*Name appears more than once

Chair - Term expires August 31, 2026
*Jacob Chandler, Chair

Chair-Elect - Term expires August 31, 2026
*TBD, Chair-Elect

Terms expire August 31, 2026
Kandi Tayebi, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
*Jacob Chandler, Innovation
Frances Brandau, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Terms expire August 31, 2027
Somer Franklin, Division of Academic Affairs
Nicholas Graves, College of Arts and Media
George Prada, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mark Frank, College of Business Administration

Terms expire August 31, 2028
Ava Fujimoto-Strait, College of Science and Engineering Technology
William Wells, College of Criminal Justice
William Blackwell, College of Education
Jose Santiago, College of Health Sciences

Terms expire August 31, 2029
Ramona Noland, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Melissa Donham, College of Education
Brandy Doleshal, College of Science and Engineering Technology
Daniela Mirabal, Academic Affairs

Student Athlete Member - Term expires May 31, 2026
Thomas Jewett, Chair, Student Athletic Advisory Committee

Faculty Representatives - Indefinite Terms
Gerald Kohers, NCAA Faculty Representative, College of Business Administration

Ex-Officio Members
Chris Thompson, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator

Bobby Williams, Jr., Director of Athletics


To Report Errors
All errors in committee listings should be reported in writing to:
Lila Alvarado
lca007@shsu.edu
936-294-1536