Dr. Heather Gilmour has been appointed as the new Faculty Athletics Representative at Springfield College, beginning in the 2022-23 academic year.
Gilmour, an assistant professor of sport management and recreation, will serve as the liaison between the faculty and athletics department and will work alongside President Mary-Beth Cooper and Executive Director of Athletics Craig Poisson to ensure academic integrity and the welfare of student-athletes. She will also represent Springfield College with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).
"I was delighted that Dr. Gilmour was appointment as our next Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). Having been involved in intercollegiate athletics in varying capacities during her career, Heather is uniquely qualified to serve in this role. I look forward to her making her mark on our program on the heels of our now retired FAR, Professor Bob Accorsi, who during his seven years in this position elevated the overall student-athlete experience," Poisson said.
Gilmour joined Springfield's faculty in September of 2018. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Lasell College and was an associate professor before being promoted to sport management department chair at Mount Ida College.
"The selection as Faculty Athletics Representative has been a truly full-circle moment for me. As a former Division III field hockey student-athlete, coach, and athletic administrator, finding myself in this FAR role is both exciting, and nostalgic," Gilmour said. "Over my career in higher education, I have wholeheartedly believed in the value of the college athletic experience, for the student-athletes, as well as the entire community. Even without this role I would continue to be an advocate, and champion of the student-athlete experience, however I look forward to even more involvement with the student-athletes, coaches and administrators as the Faculty Athletics Representative."
Gilmour has a strong understanding of the impact of intercollegiate athletics, as she previously served as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Welfare & Head Field Hockey & Softball Coach at Regis College.
A native of Winthrop, Maine, Gilmour earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Southern Maine before earning a master's degree in sport management from East Stroudsburg University. In 2013, she earned her Ed.D. in higher education administration from University of Massachusetts, Boston.
