Mount Olive, N.C. - Jeff Eisen, Vice President for Athletics, announced the addition of Kourtney Chumbley as the inaugural Director of Student-Athlete Development.
"I look forward to working with coaches and administration to prepare these student-athletes to reach their fullest potential; becoming difference-makers of their communities in Mount Olive and beyond," said Chumbley.
"I'm grateful to be a part of the Trojan Family and thankful to Jeff Eisen and Dr. Latoya Lindsey for the opportunity to work with a terrific group of student-athletes."
Funding for this new position was made possible by the NCAA Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant.
Chumbley's new role will see her working with community service opportunities, assisting with academic support, offer leadership training and life skills, and other personal development areas.
"Kourtney has a lot of passion and is eager to take on her new duties with this position. Her previous work with the Odyssey Leadership Program and being a former coach will help acclimate her to not only the programming but also assist with advising SAAC. I am excited that Kourtney is able to devote the one-on-one attention the student-athletes need in the areas of community service, programming, and life skills," said Associate Director of Athletics Dr. LaToya Lindsey.
Formerly, Chumbley was the assistant tennis coach working with the UMO men's and women's tennis teams and was the Director of the Odyssey Leadership Program during the 2018-19 academic year.
"I am overjoyed to focus on my favorite part about coaching; investing in the success of the student-athlete as a whole. Each of these students come from different backgrounds, communities, and cultures; bringing unique values to our Trojan Family. I look forward to getting to know each of them," concluded Chumbley.
Before arriving at Mount Olive, Chumbley served a two year period at the Huffhines Tennis Center where she instructed students of all ages. Chumbley earned her degree in Speech Communications at Ouachita Baptist University where she was a four-year member of the Tigers tennis program, earning all-conference honors three times.
Chumbley was also a Dean's List student and earned the Jerry Forehand Leadership Recognition Award in 2015.
Kourtney continued her tennis career after graduating from Ouachita as a USPTA Tennis Professional. She was the Women's Open Doubles Runner-up at the USPTA National Hard Court Championships in Tyler, Texas in 2016, and went on to win the Mixed Open Doubles Consolation Bracket at the USPTA National Hard Court Championships.