"It is a sincere honor to join The College of St. Scholastica Saint family as the Director of Athletics and Recreation and have an opportunity to lead this proud institution that has excellence at its core," said Cherry. "Thank you to all the members of the search committee for their tireless dedication to St. Scholastica."
Cherry comes over to St. Scholastica after spending the last two years at Marymount University, a NCAA Division III institution located in Arlington, Virginia. At Marymount, Cherry was the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and also was the school's Senior Woman Administrator. She oversaw 14 NCAA programs, served as the Deputy Title IX Officer, actively engaged with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as well as, various other committees around campus. "Jessica brings a depth of experience and an infectious spirit to St. Scholastica," said new Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Nate Dehne. "Her student-centered approach, mixed with her progressive experience in athletic administration makes her a perfect fit for the department and the greater St. Scholastica and Duluth communities."
Prior to her time at Marymount, Cherry spent three years as Associate Director of Athletics at Colby College, another NCAA Division III institution in Waterville, Maine. At Colby, she oversaw management of sports information, strength and conditioning, and equipment services, while handling the scheduling for 32 NCAA varsity programs, clubs, and intramurals. She was the senior level advisor for facility enhancement, strategic planning, compliance, diversity, equity and inclusion, leadership development, and student-athlete well-being and oversaw 12 staff members and 38 part-time coaches. As St. Scholastica's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Cherry will lead a comprehensive NCAA Division III men's and women's intercollegiate athletic program that includes 22 varsity sports, 20 of which compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
"There is excitement on campus as St. Scholastica Athletics prepares to strive for excellence in all we do," said Cherry. "I am looking forward to meeting our student-athletes, collaborating with the campus and Duluth communities and working with our coaches and staff to assist our student-athletes to be champions academically and athletically, as we provide a quality student-athlete experience."
A native of New York, Cherry began her intercollegiate career in 1996 at York College of the City University of New York in Jamaica, New York where she was an Assistant Coach for the Men's Basketball program. She remained with the program until 2015, but was promoted to Senior Associate Director of Athletics in 2007 as she also served as the Senior Woman Administrator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Cherry oversaw 17 NCAA varsity programs, while supervising 22 staff members and part-time coaches. She worked with NCAA compliance, while executing NCAA and EADA reports. She also implemented an academic advisement program that produced increased grade-point-averages and graduation rates and strengthened student-athlete participation in SAAC.
Cherry earned her undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education from Skidmore College (N.Y.) in 1988 and received her Masters degree in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Technological University in 1991.
