LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI Director of Athletics Dr. Dave Diles announced Wednesday the hiring of Haley Shotwell as the new Associate A.D. for External Relations and Senior Woman Administrator.

Shotwell comes to VMI by way of the Southern Conference where she spent the past three years in two separate capacities, most recently as the Director of Creative Services. In this role she was responsible for enhancing SoCon championships through graphic design production, the capturing and editing of championship video and on-site support in championship operations. She also created and helped execute marketing plans for league championships and events and oversaw the conference's social media strategies.

"I have been impressed with Haley's work throughout her time in the league office," Diles said. "Her skill set translates perfectly for our position."

Shotwell spent her first year at the SoCon (2017-18) as the assistant director of media relations. She was the media relations contact for women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, volleyball, men's and women's tennis and softball.

"I would like to thank Dr. Diles and the search committee for trusting me with this opportunity," Shotwell said. "As we went through the interview process, their commitment to VMI's cadet-athletes and passion for utilizing athletics to educate the whole person was exciting to me. VMI is a special place, and I am thrilled to be able to work with such great people to influence the lives of our cadet-athletes as they develop into tomorrow's leaders."

Prior to her employment with the Southern Conference, she worked at The Citadel where she served as the associate athletic communications director and media relations contact for the men's basketball, women's soccer and women's golf teams. In 2015-16, she served as an assistant director and oversaw the Bulldogs' baseball, cross country, women's soccer, tennis and wrestling teams.

A 2015 graduate of Radford University, she assisted the Highlanders' athletics communications office as a senior inputting stats, writing game recaps and creating social media graphics.

Shotwell also gained experience as a sports reporter at WDBJ7-TV in Roanoke, Virginia. She wrote and edited scripts, edited video for newscasts and covered prep football.

A native of Fincastle, Virginia, Shotwell graduated cum laude from Radford with a degree in media studies.

She will begin her duties at VMI on March 16.