Jennifer Bell, Tennessee State University Associate AD for Student Services has been named one of the recipients of the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Thurston Banks Award for Distinguished Academic Service.
The award, selected by the OVC Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs), was established in 2013 to recognize individuals (e.g. academic advisor, professor, tutor, etc.), with at least five years of service at one or more OVC member institutions, for their outstanding contributions to OVC student-athletes’ academic success, learning and development as well for his or her overall commitment to the institution’s athletics program.
The award is named after Dr. Thurston Banks, who served the Tennessee Tech Department of Athletics for 31 of his 34 years on the faculty and served as the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for 25 years before stepping down in 2006. He was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2007.
Bell has served Tennessee State for 27 years, including currently as the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services. In her role she is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of compliance, academic counseling and student support services. She also serves as the primary sport administrator for volleyball and men’s and women’s tennis.
She has previously held the title of Assistant A.D. for Compliance, where she had the responsibility for ensuring that coaches, student-athletes, administrative staff and athletic supporters abide by the NCAA, University and Conference rules and regulations.
During her tenure she has worked with the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program, the OVC Bylaws Review Committee, TSU Homecoming Committee and the Women of Legend and Merit Committee. Prior to joining the TSU administrative staff, she was an assistant coach for the Lady Tigers basketball team (1991-03), including helping guide Tennessee State to back-to-back OVC Championships.
Bell received her B.S. in Political Science from Fisk University in 1991 and later obtained an M.A.Ed in Sports Administration from Tennessee State University in 2005.
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