Reyes Named Senior Associate AD for Student Life at Pitt
10/24/2023 11:07:00 AM | General, Life Skills
PITTSBURGH – Liz Reyes has been named Senior Associate AD for Student Life of the Cathy & John Pelusi Life Skills Program at the University of Pittsburgh as announced Tuesday by Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. Reyes joins the Pitt Athletic Department after serving as the Associate AD, Illini Way Student-Athlete Development at the University of Illinois since August of 2020.
"We are excited to add Liz Reyes to our leadership team here at the University of Pittsburgh," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "Liz brings an impressive background and experiences and is extremely well prepared to lead our nationally renowned Life Skills department. She joins a talented staff who continues to provide an elite student-athlete experience and prepare them for a successful career upon graduation from the University of Pittsburgh."
In her role at Pitt, Reyes will oversee the Cathy & John Pelusi Life Skills Program, while also serving on Lyke's Executive and Leadership Teams. She will also have a heavy focus on Pitt's DEI efforts through Panthers United.
"I am excited to join the passionate staff within the nationally recognized Cathy & John Pelusi Family Life Skills Program," said Reyes. "To enhance inclusion and belonging amongst our Panther community is also an incredible opportunity that I am looking forward to. Here is to elevating the college experience of our Pitt Panther student-athletes!"
At Illinois, Reyes had oversight and leadership of the Illini Way Student-Athlete Development program which aims to holistically support and develop Fighting Illini student-athletes in all aspects of their experiences as collegiate student-athletes. Additionally, she served on the leadership team of DIA's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Prior to Illinois, Reyes worked with the Cleveland Browns, where she was the Manager of Community and Alumni Relations. Prior to the Browns, she worked in the Office of Student-Athlete Success at the University of Arkansas where she most recently served as the Assistant Director – Employer Relations for the Student-Athlete Development program. In this role, Reyes equipped student-athletes for their professional careers and supported their post-graduation placement.
Before working in student-athlete development, Reyes served in various capacities within academic support at Arkansas as the Assistant Director for Academics – Football. Prior to her stint at Arkansas, Reyes served as an Academic Counselor for Men's and Women's Track and Field at Baylor University. She began her career in multiple capacities over a five-year period within Student-Athlete Academic Services at the University of Washington.
Reyes graduated from the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute in 2019 and earned the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Rudy Keeling Postgraduate Scholarship in 2018. She is also a two-time scholarship recipient from Women Leaders in Sports. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from Washington, and she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. Reyes also serves on N4A's (National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals) Executive Team as Vice President 2.