LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI announced on Tuesday the hiring of Bridget Shanks as the Director of Cadet-Athlete Development.
Shanks' primary duties will be the leadership development of cadet-athletes, which includes academic success, as well as overseeing the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Shanks will help guide cadet-athletes to academic achievement by counseling on academic support services and resources while hiring and overseeing study hall proctors, tutors and other academic support staff. Shanks will also facilitate career counseling services to help cadet-athletes in areas such as resumes, interview preparation and etiquette training. Additionally, Shanks will work with various offices such as Title IX, Center for Leadership and Ethics, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, while enhancing NIL education opportunities for cadet-athletes.
"I would like to thank Jim Miller, Lenny Brown, and Emily Fulton for the opportunity lead the Cadet-Athlete Development Office as we work to accomplish our mission of fostering the character, and intellectual and academic development of our cadet-athletes. I am excited to begin working with our coaches and athletes!"
Shanks has been on post since 2018, initially hired as the Director of Tickets and Marketing before moving to the VMI Alumni Agencies office in November of 2021. Originally serving the role of program outreach officer, Shanks was elevated to Director of Alumni Engagement this past fall.
While working for the Alumni Agencies, Shanks helped plan and implement programs and strategies to increase alumni chapter involvement. Shanks was the primary contact for 100 volunteer chapter presidents and supported operations through logistics, communications and marketing while representing the organization at various events. Additionally, Shanks worked as a liaison to the Office of the Commandant and worked with the Admissions office to maintain cadet support. While working for the Alumni Agencies, Shanks has also been an NCAA Study Hall Proctor and Academic Advisor at VMI as well as an adjunct instructor at James Madison's Hart School of Hospitality and Sport Management.
Prior to her time with the Alumni Agencies, Shanks started her VMI career as Director for Tickets and Marketing before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Tickets and Marketing. In addition to coordinating ticket operations and revenue, Shanks was a sport administrator, oversaw SAAC as well as game operations teams and served on the athletics COVID-19 subcommittee.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in communications and kinesiology with an emphasis in sport studies from the University of New Hampshire (2015), Shanks earned a master's degree in sport and recreation leadership from James Madison (2018).
