Plan Your Visit

Weather
Charlotte residents enjoy blue skies all year long. The Queen City boasts an annual average temperature of 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Winters are gentle and summers are sunny and vibrant.

Getting Around Town
The LYNX Blue Line Light Rail 鈥� Connects various parts of the city quickly and efficiently.
Uber and Lyft 鈥� Ride-share services are widely available in Charlotte and surrounding areas.
Lime Scooters 鈥� Electric scooters are available to rent and ride all around CLT.

Places to Stay

Queens is proud to partner with hotels in the Charlotte area to host future Royals and their guests for discounted rates.
Just make sure to mention Queens when you call to book your stay.

DoubleTree by Hilton South Charlotte Tyvola
5624 Westpark Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217

Le M茅ridien Charlotte
555 South McDowell Street Tower, Charlotte, NC 28204

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Arrowood
805 W Arrowood Road, Charlotte, NC 28217

Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn
508 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28202

Courtyard Charlotte SouthPark
6023 Park South Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

The post Campus Visit Guide first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

Sarah Brown ’25, a sport management major, described the experience as a dream come true. “The Olympics ignited my passion for sports and global events,” she said. “This opportunity not only provided a front-row seat to world-class competition but also invaluable insights into the intricate organization of the world’s premier sporting events.”

The study abroad students weren鈥檛 the only ones representing Queens. This year, three talented alumni competed in swimming and the triathlon, in both the Olympics and Paralympics. Current Royal Matej Dusa also swam for Slovakia.

Brown found watching her teammate compete “truly inspiring.” “The electrifying atmosphere and the moment of pure joy reinforced the belief that hard work and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements,” she said.

Beyond the games, students explored Paris’ iconic landmarks, immersing themselves in its rich history and culture. Beth Zuech Schneider, associate professor of strategy, emphasized the value of international experiences. “International experiences equip students with a global mindset, fostering empathy, and cultivating a deep understanding of diverse cultures,鈥� said Schneider. “By encountering different perspectives and navigating unfamiliar scenarios, students develop the skills necessary to thrive in today’s interconnected world, both personally and professionally.”

Joseph Cornelius, assistant professor of film production, added that such experiences make students more marketable. “Having the opportunity to say you covered the Paris Olympics and had your work featured on global outlets is impressive,” he stated. “That鈥檚 what makes the Queens JBIP experience stand apart from the rest 鈥� we鈥檙e not just going to look at paintings or eat croissants, we are getting to know the locals and gaining a deeper insight into how these events affect local communities.”

This was the third time Queens community members were invited to participate in an Olympic travel abroad experience. Previous trips included Rio in 2016 and a planned trip to Japan that was canceled due to COVID-19.

“Experiences like this are invaluable for college students,” said Cornelius. “It allows them to apply their academic knowledge to real-world issues and develop critical thinking skills. Plus, it鈥檚 a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture and gain a global perspective.”

Brown encouraged other students to consider studying abroad. “This experience has broadened my global horizons and deepened my appreciation for diverse cultures,” she said. “It’s an investment in yourself that yields unexpected rewards.”

Cornelius echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that these experiences can last a lifetime. “Sometimes when we return from trips students say, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,'” said Cornelius. “But I stop them and say, ‘It doesn鈥檛 have to be.'”

Looking ahead, Cornelius expressed hope for a future trip to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. As the students return to Queens from their Paris adventure, they carry with them not only memories but also valuable skills and a global perspective that will undoubtedly shape their futures.

The post Beyond the Games: Royals Reflect on Paris 2024 first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

When Lisa first enrolled at Queens to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree, she was looking to balance her professional career with her education. “Queens offered a tailored program specifically crafted to address the demands of a working professional with a family. It was an unforgettable experience for me,” she recalls.

Now, over a decade later, her decision to return to Queens was driven by similar motivations. “I decided it was time to focus on me again. The professors and community at Queens were so welcoming and supportive. As an older student, diving into school again was a little scary, but the folks at Queens made it so exciting. I鈥檝e met the most amazing people who are like-minded and motivated to pursue greatness.”

Currently the manager of council experience for Girls on the Run International, Lisa鈥檚 career reflects her passion and commitment to creating positive change. “The most enjoyable part of working for Girls on the Run is the chance to make a significant difference in the lives of our next generation of leaders,” she shared. “It鈥檚 been extremely rewarding to observe the positive change in our communities over the years.”

For Lisa, Queens has been a foundation for both personal and professional growth, providing a nurturing environment where she can thrive. As a student in Queens鈥� Master of Science in Talent and Organization Development program, Lisa chose to specialize in two areas: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management and Learning and Development Management. The MSTOD program equips professionals with the skills to drive organizational change while enhancing their interpersonal, analytical, and decision-making skills.

“Queens has played an instrumental role in my development,” Lisa reflects. “I work full time, but my work life and school life complement each other. Professors just get it. They鈥檙e super helpful and always available. The program is flexible and the course options are rich.”

As she looks forward to graduating with a master鈥檚 degree in 2025, Lisa continues to be inspired by her journey and the supportive community at Queens. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the lasting impact of the Queens community.

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering pursuing a graduate degree at Queens, Lisa stated, “It鈥檚 never too late 鈥� you鈥檙e investing in your future. Queens is where I鈥檝e found passions, developed abilities, made lasting friendships, and found mentors who motivate and encourage me along my journey. I鈥檓 a changed person since starting the MSTOD program.”

By Jess Perry

The post Returning to Her Roots: Alum鈥檚 15-Year Journey from Queens Grad to Graduate Student first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

The event was part of the NC Trusted Elections Tour series and not only provided information on the electoral process, but also served as an opportunity for attendees to participate in peaceful political engagement while strengthening civil discourse.

“We are honored to host such important conversations on our campus and to serve as a convener of important dialogues in a non-partisan, unbiased, and transparent way,” said Dan Lugo, president of 澳门六合彩规律论坛. “We are dedicated to fostering a culture of engaged citizenship among our students, preparing them to be active participants in their communities and beyond. The vibrant dialogues they experience at Queens equip our graduates to make a lasting difference in the world.”

The event was moderated by Dedrick Russell, executive producer for community content at WBTV. The panel included Jennifer Roberts and Bob Orr, co-leaders of the North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections; Mecklenburg County Elections Director Michael Dickerson; Mecklenburg County Board of Elections members Liz McDowell and John Gresham; Chief Risk Officer for the state of NC, Torry Crass; and election law expert Zachary Deason.

They addressed public concerns about electronic voting machines and hacking, explained the secure process for collecting and counting votes, and advised on how challenges, recounts, and fraud allegations are dealt with through proper legal channels.

“We have found that when voters hear current information from their local election professionals, their confidence in our elections system increases,” said Roberts.

“The democratic principle of election by the people is the fundamental foundation on which our government and our democracy are built,” said Orr. “Our election officials from Cullowhee to Carrboro, Morganton to Mocksville, and Raleigh to Roanoke all work relentlessly to make sure that our elections, so vital to American Democracy, proceed fairly, safely, and securely.”

This stop on the Trusted Elections Tour was sponsored by the North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections, the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, and Veterans for All Voters and was co-sponsored by Queens University鈥檚 Department of Political Science, International Affairs and Sociology, QU Votes, and the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

The post Queens Welcomes NC Trusted Elections Tour to Campus for Engaging Town Hall Discussion first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

2025 Homecoming & Reunion

Two Campus Traditions, One Royal Weekend

February 7-8, 2025

Whether you鈥檙e a current Queens student, a proud alum, or anything in between, you鈥檙e invited to this jam-packed weekend of Homecoming traditions and festivities. Bring your loved ones to cheer on our student-athletes and celebrate what makes Queens special.

Alumni 鈥� this weekend will also feature special reunion celebrations, award ceremonies, and opportunities to reconnect and reminisce.

Students

Student Events

Alumni

Alumni Events

The post Royal Weekend first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Adelaide Anderson Davis ’61 returned to Queens in 1983 to join the staff following years of active volunteer work as an alumna. Her impressive 30+ year career culminated in the role of associate vice president of alumni relations and planned giving.

Davis鈥� commitment extends beyond her professional contributions. In recognition of their loyalty and generous support, she and her late husband, Ned Davis, were inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 2016 and the prestigious Ministrare Society. She remains highly engaged with the university, serving on the Alumni Association Board and Friends of the Library. Davis鈥� generosity extends to the broader Charlotte community as well. She has supported organizations like the Arts and Sciences Council, Habitat for Humanity, Junior League of Charlotte, The Sharon at Southpark, and Freedom School Partners.

Alumna Stephanie C. Bunao 鈥�18 has excelled in the communications field since graduating from Queens. In 2021, she joined Honeywell as a communications specialist where she supports senior executives at the global headquarters in Charlotte. Previously, Bunao honed her skills as a video producer for The Charlotte Observer, where she led a project that earned the paper its first regional Emmy nomination.

Bunao鈥檚 leadership qualities were evident during her time at Queens. She served as president of the Student Government Association and was the student liaison to the board of trustees. Her dedication to learning continued after Queens, as she recently earned a Master of Science in Communications from Syracuse University.

Queens is pleased to welcome Sally Wheeler Maier ’89 back to the board of trustees. Maier, a renowned actor and producer, previously served a term from 2016-2020. She is engaged in the production of documentary and narrative film and has thrived on stage, in film, and in various television roles. Maier is lauded for her supporting role in the popular TV show 鈥淭wo of a Kind鈥�(1998 to 1999) starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Maier actively volunteers and currently serves on the boards of several organizations. She serves as the co-president of the nonprofit Only Make Believe, which brings interactive theatre to children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities in New York and Washington, D.C. She is also a member of the Parents Leadership Council of Trinity College and is a former president of the board of The Story Collider.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Queens and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Florida.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back these three exceptional women,” said Jeff Brown ’03, board chair and president of Hendrick Automotive. “Their extensive experience, unwavering loyalty, and dedication to Queens will undoubtedly make them invaluable assets. As Queens continues its pursuit of strategic initiatives to solidify its position as a top leader in higher education, these new board members bring diverse perspectives that will be instrumental in our success.”

“Our focus remains on academic excellence, enriching student experiences, and fostering a positive community impact,” Brown continued. “The addition of these committed leaders from the corporate, civic, and community sectors will provide even greater momentum as we strive to expand and elevate Queens’ reputation.鈥�

Queens is proud to announce the return of five esteemed trustees for a second term. These dedicated leaders will continue to provide invaluable guidance:

• Jesse J. Cureton Jr. ’02 (chair-elect), former Novant Health and Bank of America executive, will assume the role of board chair
• L. Watts Hamrick III, co-founder and partner (retired), Pamlico Capital
• David (Oscar) Groomes, managing partner, Groomes Business Solutions, LLC
• Brian D. Savoy, executive vice president and CFO, Duke Energy
• Maureen Swick, senior vice president and system nurse executive (retired), Atrium Health

As Queens鈥� governing body, the board of trustees plays a vital role in ensuring that the university upholds its mission and core values, oversee responsible management of resources, and guide Queens towards achieving its strategic goals.

The post Queens University Welcomes New Trustees first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

Despite having disparate areas of study, the four alumni shared one commonality: they all played soccer at Queens.

Their friendship has grown even stronger over the years. Maintaining the bonds between them 鈥� even more powerful than playing the sport 鈥� are their mutual love for the game, their shared values, and the call to serve. As a result of their combined efforts and connection, lives are being transformed in Charlotte and across the world.

A Game for the World

Soccer, known to those living outside of North America as 鈥渇ootball,鈥� is globally the number one sport, having an estimated 3.5 billion fans and at least 250 million people playing organized games regularly. It鈥檚 often referred to as 鈥渢he beautiful game鈥� 鈥� a term coined by 20th-century Brazilian soccer star Pel茅.
To the group of friends from Queens, like many people across the globe, soccer is more than just a sport.
鈥淪occer is truly the one sport in the world that brings people together regardless of wealth, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and skill level,鈥� said Horton.

鈥淪occer is a common unifier because of how many people love the game,鈥� said Murray. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a worldwide sport, so as we think about differences in maybe culture or language or economic status, soccer is the common denominator. It provides a bridge and an opportunity for people across all backgrounds to connect and, in this world right now, that is so needed.鈥�

Dargavel agreed, noting that 鈥渙ne of my favorite examples of the impact soccer can have on the community is marked by the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Africa.鈥�

Despite the terrible tensions and acts carried out during the civil war, she said, 鈥渨ithin weeks of the end of the genocide, soccer was one of the main catalysts for reconciling the devastated country when the warring tribes united to participate and support in a match, marking peace and hope, and igniting the path for healing.鈥�

Not to be Served, But to Serve

All four alumni are Charlotteans, all are active servant leaders, and all were inspired by their experiences at Queens.

Horton is a certified fundraising executive who has been in nonprofit work for 21 years. He currently serves as executive director of the F3 Foundation, whose purpose is to bring together and support men through exercise and community. Dargavel 鈥� in addition to being a wife and a mother of four with a full-time job 鈥� contributes time to several organizations and at church.

Murray and Car铆as both worked at Queens after graduation; she was a graduate assistant in sports information while pursuing her master鈥檚 in health administration and he was an assistant coach for the men鈥檚 soccer team.

While at Queens, Murray was exposed to the world outside of the U.S. and had the opportunity to travel. In 2008, she co-founded Peace Passers 鈥� a nonprofit that collects, repurposes, and distributes soccer equipment to local and global communities without access.

鈥淢any of the countries I visited were developing countries, and I would have a soccer ball with me, and it was like a magnet,鈥� Murray said. The idea for Peace Passers came from 鈥渞ecognizing that not everyone has access to proper gear; kids were making soccer balls out of trash or fashioned out of pieces from trees 鈥� whatever they could find to have a makeshift ball at their feet.鈥�

After having played on the national soccer team in his native country of Guatemala, Car铆as came to the U.S. to play collegiate soccer while attending Queens. He had to learn English as a second language before his first semester, and he quickly made friends on the soccer pitch.

鈥淚t felt like it was family, it felt like home,鈥� said Car铆as. 鈥淚 had a rich experience as a student, with caring professors and being a part of the community.鈥�

All the while, he was forming deep, lasting connections to the Queen City, which became roots. Here, he said, he was able to not only grow personally but also enjoy the quality of life. In fact, he has now lived in Charlotte longer than he did in Guatemala. And, in 2011, he was named head coach of the Queens men鈥檚 soccer team and inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame for his contributions to the university鈥檚 athletics.

鈥楰indness is Magic鈥�

On a Monday afternoon in April, on the turf field of Chestnut Square Park in Indian Trail, North Carolina, members of the Queens men鈥檚 soccer team were joined by a group of children in bright tangerine-colored soccer jerseys.

The children, who belong to an organization called the Matthews Mavericks 鈥� a Charlotte nonprofit club that offers recreational and competitive soccer to youth free of charge 鈥� were there for another night of practice. This practice was different than most, though, in that collegiate soccer players were leading it rather than their usual volunteer coaches.

The Matthews Mavericks was founded by Jonny Sinclair, who was inspired to start the organization when he came over from England and recognized the extremely high cost in the U.S. for competitive youth soccer. This revelation hit home once he began looking for reasonably priced, quality soccer options for his own children. He saw that both cost and commitment were forcing families out of participation and children were missing out on being a part of the sport, which was strikingly different to the experience he had as a youth soccer player growing up in Europe. His vision was to remove the barrier of cost for kids to play competitively, and he was able to make it happen with the support of generous donors and volunteers. Matthews Mavericks was born in 2019; it now has nearly 200 youth on 10 teams with 30 volunteer staffers.

Murray and Dargavel have children who play in the club, and the two are active coaches, volunteers, and supporters. Horton, their fellow Queens alumnus, trains goalkeepers, and Dargavel鈥檚 husband, Ian, is a team coach for the 鈥淢avs.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a community of like-minded folks that understand the power of the sport. It鈥檚 positive, kind 鈥� and you see it spread from parents to their kids to the world,鈥� Sinclair said.

Sinclair personally knows the value of being involved in the sport, and how it is 鈥渆qualizing and unifying.鈥� To emphasize the positivity, Matthews Mavericks have a motto 鈥� 鈥淜indness is Magic鈥� 鈥� printed on their shirts.

Coach Car铆as was introduced to the Mavs through his alumni friends, who often help at Queens soccer camps. It became evident that the soccer club and the university could form a valuable partnership. The Queens men鈥檚 soccer team has now been helping run Matthews Mavericks practice twice a year for four years.

Although being trained by NCAA Division 1 players is quite a remarkable experience for the Matthews Mavericks participants, the Queens collegiate team is also benefiting from the time spent with the young people.

鈥淲e are really trying to be intentional on how we provide our student-athletes with a meaningful experience that impacts the community. Our very diverse group of guys share the love of the game, and the kids can look up to them as role models,鈥� said Car铆as.

A Lasting Connection

It鈥檚 obvious that soccer has not been the only common thread for Murray, Horton, Car铆as, and Dargavel. The other ties that bind 鈥� remaining engaged with each other and their community, with service at the forefront 鈥� have been integral aspects of their lives as well.

They all express appreciation for having learned, as students, the importance of service to others during their time at Queens.

鈥淎t Queens, it鈥檚 embedded to serve others, that it should always be a part of who you are and how you show up,鈥� said Murray.

鈥淨ueens helped shape the entire trajectory of my life. It helped me become a better global citizen, a servant, a leader, with a foundation of learning that has served me immensely in my professional and personal life. I can’t imagine a better college experience than the one I had. And the Queens legacy and connection continues for me two decades later,鈥� Horton said.

All four Queens alumni share an obvious love for 鈥渢he beautiful game,鈥� but they are also unmistakably passionate about uplifting communities and simply making the world a better place.

By Nicole Ward Beckley

The post For the Love of 鈥榯he Most Beautiful Game鈥� 鈥� Soccer Connects Queens Alumni and Transforms the World first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

Joining Nguyen at the helm are Brigitte Kittner 鈥�27 as co-president, Thien Thanh Nguyen 鈥�27 as vice president, and Fatima Hernandez Hernandez 鈥�27 as treasurer. This dynamic team has a clear vision for the AAPI student group, focusing on three key objectives: representation, education, and fostering a fun and engaging environment.

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to help establish this group on campus again,鈥� said Nguyen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to share the traditions and beauty of each country while opening pathways for important discussions around AAPI discrimination and racism. We look forward to building a welcoming environment where students can enjoy themselves while feeling safe and respected.鈥�

A Charlotte native, Nguyen spoke of the values her parents instilled in her. “They came to America from Vietnam in their early twenties for a better life, and family was always central,” she said. “Despite our modest means, our home overflowed with joy. We enjoyed spending time with loved ones, especially during T岷縯, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Feasts brimming with pho and other Vietnamese classics became cherished memories.鈥�

Juggling the responsibilities of being the eldest daughter and granddaughter, Nguyen prioritized education and setting a positive example for her siblings and cousins. This drive led her to an exciting opportunity. While a student at East Mecklenburg High School, an admissions counselor spoke to her class about Queens鈥� Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI).

The CTI is a cohort-based career pipeline program for select students that funds tuition, room, and board as long as students continue to meet the requirements of the program. Designed to create economic success in Charlotte by helping talented students succeed in their careers, the CTI works to achieve this goal through funding education and purposeful in-class and out-of-class experiences such as coursework, internships, mentorship, and leadership development. Currently, cohort partnerships are with Ally Financial and Lowe鈥檚 Companies, Inc.

The chance to gain hands-on experience and mentorship from industry leaders was irresistible to Nguyen. News of her acceptance into the Ally Financial cohort sparked an outpouring of support from her family. She received a flurry of texts from loved ones celebrating her achievement and congratulating her as she embarked on the next chapter of her life.

The balance of living on campus while being close to home has been ideal for Nguyen. “My time at Queens has been amazing. While I am fully immersed in the college experience, I can also visit my family whenever I鈥檇 like,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 love the small class sizes and I’ve already begun building strong relationships with my professors, and my Ally mentor, Samantha Luu.”

Luu, a cloud engineer at Ally Financial has enjoyed her time with Nguyen. 鈥淚n the short time that I have mentored Tina, I have watched her grow and mature. From learning how to study and admitting her flaws to watching her find her strengths,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a fierce, determined, and hardworking student who has accomplished so much in her first year. As someone who is also part of the AAPI community, seeing her leadership skills and determination to bring the AAPI club back was truly inspirational.鈥�

With a clear vision, Nguyen has chosen marketing as her major and a minor in data analytics, as required through the Ally cohort. However, her ambitions extend far beyond academics and into the community. Embracing Queens’ motto, “Not to be served, but to serve,” she’ll dedicate this summer to working with children at Charlotte’s UrbanPromise Summer Camp program.

After college, Nguyen plans on following her parents’ wisdom to prioritize happiness over chasing a paycheck. She looks forward to leveraging her skills in a meaningful job that offers her the flexibility to explore the world. Her guiding principle? She’s not planning for a dream job but instead, she’s building a dream life.

The post Queens Student Tina Nguyen Leads Revival of AAPI Student Group first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

Suckow鈥檚 been a physician assistant for more than two decades and currently works at OrthoCarolina, where she primarily assists with hip and knee replacements. During her time in health care, Suckow鈥檚 grown as a leader and manager, eventually supervising others and looking for new opportunities to grow her skill set. Nearly ten years ago, she met with an executive coach to talk about her career path in medicine, but she quickly realized there may be a path for herself in the coaching field too.

So, in 2015, she enrolled in the Executive Coaching certificate program, part of Queens鈥� Master of Science in Organizational Development (now the Master of Science in Talent and Organizational Development) degree program.

Still working as a physician assistant, Suckow was now able to coach others in the healthcare field. She loved it so much that after a few years of coaching, she decided to come back to Queens and finish the MSTOD degree.

鈥淚鈥檓 certainly a life-long learner, and intellectual curiosity makes me interested in how to better myself and how to help others succeed,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why the program was so enticing to me. It really focused on the people side of organizational health and how to empower and give agency to people in the workplace. That鈥檚 at my core 鈥� to help see others succeed and see the best in themselves.鈥�

Now set to graduate in May 2024, Suckow is armed with even more knowledge to elevate her coaching skill set. She continues to work at OrthoCarolina, but now she鈥檚 also partnering on a new business venture that will focus on coaching healthcare workers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not only about talent acquisition in health care but about helping physician assistants and physicians partner better together,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not only about utilization but about building a better work-life cycle together. It鈥檚 imperative right now that we find a way to manage better with increasing shortages of health care providers.鈥�

The Queens MSTOD program has never had more relevance in today鈥檚 marketplace. The program focuses on helping businesses optimize their most valuable resource 鈥� people. Students gain knowledge in theories, models, and frameworks of talent and organizational development.

鈥淚 could鈥檝e never have forecasted that this as a career path would necessarily be advantageous in medicine because I didn鈥檛 know it existed,鈥� Suckow says. 鈥淥nce I started the coaching, I realized there were ways to help other roles in an organization and the theory and science to support it. Post-COVID, this is needed more than ever.鈥�

The post Through Healing and Coaching, Jen Suckow 鈥�24 Commits to Elevating Others first appeared on 澳门六合彩规律论坛.

Swarthout first learned about hard work and overcoming challenges while growing up on her family鈥檚 centennial farm in Michigan.

In farming, she said, 鈥淵ou have to work hard. You can鈥檛 control the weather. You can鈥檛 control the crop prices. The cattle have to be fed. You have to do the best work you can and make the best decisions with what you have at the moment.鈥�

She was recruited by Michigan State University and Illinois State University and chose MSU, where she made her mark as an exceptional forward on the women鈥檚 basketball team and received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in physical education and health. She went on to get her master鈥檚 degree in sports psychology and athletic administration at Illinois State University and, after being offered a job by the same coach who sought after her to play a few years earlier, she coached at ISU for 10 years.

鈥淭he demands of being a student-athlete are high,鈥� said Swarthout. 鈥淚 understand that, and being a college coach, [I understand] the day-to-day challenges, how hard it is.鈥�

In 2006, she came to Queens as the sports information director. For the next 10 years, her duties on staff ebbed and flowed with the growth of the department, and Swarthout gained a breadth of skills in everything from administration and facilities to fundraising and marketing.

All her experiences would position her to shine in the role she holds today on the university鈥檚 senior leadership team, where she leads a department of around 120 staff members.

In 2015-2016, Swarthout was acting as interim athletics director while the university held a national search to find a permanent replacement 鈥� while she was on the search committee, she wasn鈥檛 a candidate. However, she was approached by leadership with the job offer and, in May 2016, she was named athletics director for Queens.

鈥淚 tend to see things as opportunities more than anything else. If you can lean in and be present and keep your core values and your feet on the ground, things tend to work themselves out.鈥�

As a woman working in college athletics, Swarthout realizes the importance of having strong role models and being valued by those around you. These are lessons she passes on to her two girls, ages 12 and 16, who look to her as a role model.

鈥淢y parents were very, very consistent people and they role modeled just by living their lives. That鈥檚 also a big part of how I am there for my kids every day. We talk a lot about self-growth and self-awareness, being kind to everyone, and meeting people where they are. They are learning those pieces like I learned them from my parents.鈥�

She is grateful for those who empowered and set shining examples for her to follow 鈥� from her parents to her coaches at MSU and her bosses at ISU, to past Queens President Pamela Davies and former Queens Athletics Director Jeannie King.

Swarthout said, 鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed with some really phenomenal role models who paved the way for women, in particular, to find paths to stay in athletics and college athletics.鈥�

Continuing to grow and evolve is what Swarthout thrives on. As she spent more time at Queens, she realized that she was craving professional development, which led her to pursue the Master of Science in Talent and Organizational Development at Queens McColl School of Business. The experience, she said, transformed her leadership approach.

In 2022, when Queens announced its official move to NCAA Division I status in the ASUN Conference, Swarthout was an integral part of the university鈥檚 meaningful transition. But she credits all of Queens Athletics鈥� partners, both on- and off-campus, for their hard work in making it a reality.

After 17 years in Queens Athletics, she said, 鈥淓verything we do now is at another level than when we were D2. We continue to build a better infrastructure to be able to support our programs.鈥�

Currently, Swarthout is the only female athletic director in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN).

鈥淲e are an institution that prioritizes identifying high quality and aspiring female coaches for our department,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to me that folks have an opportunity to step into those roles 鈥� and for those that they are coaching to see people doing what they maybe want to do someday.鈥�

She said, 鈥淢y goal is for everyone to show up as their best self and as their whole self. It鈥檚 important to me that, in our department, student-athletes can see themselves in us.鈥�

By Nicole Ward Beckley

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