Eastern Michigan Athletics
Conard Named Associate Athletic Director for SASS
3/22/2021 2:00:00 PM | General, SASS
The Otter Lake, Mich. native previously worked at Valparaiso, Ohio, and Central Michigan
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Elizabeth Conard, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Support and Student Services at Valparaiso University, has been named the Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) at Eastern Michigan University, Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee announced today, March 22. Conard will begin her duties at EMU on April 1.
"Our Eastern family is tremendously excited to welcome Elizabeth to Ypsilanti," said Wetherbee. "She stood out in a deep pool of candidates and will be a fantastic addition to our staff. Elizabeth's administrative experiences at other Mid-American Conference institutions and her leadership growth is extremely impressive and will enable her to make an immediate impact on our student-athletes."
In her new role, Conard will be part of the department's executive staff with oversight of academic services for all of EMU's 19 Division I sports. Conard will guide development and implementation of programs and services that support academic achievement and integrity as well as contribute to the personal growth and career development of EMU student-athletes. She will also serve as the department's primary liaison for academic matters to multiple university entities including the registrar, provost, undergraduate studies, faculty, and academic advisors.
"I am thrilled to join the Eastern Michigan Athletics family and return to the Mid-American Conference! I am thankful to Scott and Erin (Kido) for having the confidence in me to lead the SASS unit," Conard added. "The family atmosphere and competitive culture at Eastern Michigan seems truly special and I can't wait to get to campus and work alongside the staff, faculty, coaches and student-athletes."
Before arriving in Ypsilanti, Conard joined the Valpo staff in August of 2019 as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Support and Student Services. There, she oversaw the academic support and student services program for more than 375 Division I student-athletes competing in the Missouri Valley Conference. She also created, implemented, and hired support personnel for a brand-new academic support program for Valpo student-athletes. Conard served as the academic coordinator for men's and women's basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball.
Conard spent seven years at Mid-American Conference foe Ohio University (2012-19). In her final position in Athens, Ohio, she served as the Associate Director for NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success/Director of Life Skills. Conard functioned as the academic coordinator for football and softball, with responsibilities including tracking progress of continuing eligibility, conducting academic meetings with at-risk student-athletes, providing academic advising and registration assistance, implementing and evaluating academic success strategies and plans, and meeting with prospective student-athletes and their families.
In her role as Director of Life Skills at Ohio, Conard coordinated all career development, community service, wellness activities and workshops for student-athletes. She also was the staff advisor for the Bobcats' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Conard started at Ohio with the NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success office as an Academic Assistant in August 2012 and was hired July 2013 as an Academic Coordinator. She was promoted to Associate Director for NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success/Director of Life Skills in July 2017.
Prior to her time at Ohio, Conard worked as a study hall monitor and freshmen football mentor in the Student-Athlete Services department at Central Michigan University while completing her undergraduate studies. She also has intercollegiate athletics experience in athletic communications, marketing and promotions, and recreational services.
Conard earned her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan in integrative public relations in 2010. She went on to receive a master's in sports administration from Georgia State University in 2012.
"Our Eastern family is tremendously excited to welcome Elizabeth to Ypsilanti," said Wetherbee. "She stood out in a deep pool of candidates and will be a fantastic addition to our staff. Elizabeth's administrative experiences at other Mid-American Conference institutions and her leadership growth is extremely impressive and will enable her to make an immediate impact on our student-athletes."
In her new role, Conard will be part of the department's executive staff with oversight of academic services for all of EMU's 19 Division I sports. Conard will guide development and implementation of programs and services that support academic achievement and integrity as well as contribute to the personal growth and career development of EMU student-athletes. She will also serve as the department's primary liaison for academic matters to multiple university entities including the registrar, provost, undergraduate studies, faculty, and academic advisors.
"I am thrilled to join the Eastern Michigan Athletics family and return to the Mid-American Conference! I am thankful to Scott and Erin (Kido) for having the confidence in me to lead the SASS unit," Conard added. "The family atmosphere and competitive culture at Eastern Michigan seems truly special and I can't wait to get to campus and work alongside the staff, faculty, coaches and student-athletes."
Before arriving in Ypsilanti, Conard joined the Valpo staff in August of 2019 as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Support and Student Services. There, she oversaw the academic support and student services program for more than 375 Division I student-athletes competing in the Missouri Valley Conference. She also created, implemented, and hired support personnel for a brand-new academic support program for Valpo student-athletes. Conard served as the academic coordinator for men's and women's basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball.
Conard spent seven years at Mid-American Conference foe Ohio University (2012-19). In her final position in Athens, Ohio, she served as the Associate Director for NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success/Director of Life Skills. Conard functioned as the academic coordinator for football and softball, with responsibilities including tracking progress of continuing eligibility, conducting academic meetings with at-risk student-athletes, providing academic advising and registration assistance, implementing and evaluating academic success strategies and plans, and meeting with prospective student-athletes and their families.
In her role as Director of Life Skills at Ohio, Conard coordinated all career development, community service, wellness activities and workshops for student-athletes. She also was the staff advisor for the Bobcats' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Conard started at Ohio with the NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success office as an Academic Assistant in August 2012 and was hired July 2013 as an Academic Coordinator. She was promoted to Associate Director for NCAA Eligibility and Student-Athlete Success/Director of Life Skills in July 2017.
Prior to her time at Ohio, Conard worked as a study hall monitor and freshmen football mentor in the Student-Athlete Services department at Central Michigan University while completing her undergraduate studies. She also has intercollegiate athletics experience in athletic communications, marketing and promotions, and recreational services.
Conard earned her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan in integrative public relations in 2010. She went on to receive a master's in sports administration from Georgia State University in 2012.
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