Bucknell University Athletics
Jen Kentera Named Senior Associate AD for Leadership Development at Bucknell
8/29/2018 8:07:00 AM | Student-Athlete Enrichment
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Jen Kentera, a highly regarded veteran in the field of collegiate student-athlete leadership and development, has been named senior associate director of athletics for leadership development at Bucknell. Bison director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax has tabbed Kentera to manage all aspects of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute. Additionally, she will serve as a sport supervisor for the Bison men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's golf, and women's lacrosse teams.
Most recently, Kentera has served as the assistant athletic director for student-athlete development at Boston College since the start of the 2016-17 academic year. Prior to that, Kentera spent five years as an associate director for student-athlete support services area at Boston University, including the coordination of the Bloom Leadership Academy and Lifeskills programs. She has also spent time as an academic adviser at Oregon (2009-11) and Florida State (2007-09).
"I am delighted to welcome Jen Kentera to the Bison family," said Truax. "Jen has earned a strong reputation for providing elite leadership programming to student-athletes, and she stood out among a very competitive field. The Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute is one of the best programs that we offer, with focused training in leadership attributes that prove to be beneficial well beyond the field of play. I look forward to the growth of our Institute under Jen's leadership, and the positive impact that it will have on our student-athletes."
Kentera will coordinate Bucknell's comprehensive student-athlete leadership development program that touches each of the more than 700 Bison student-athletes. Rebranded in 2016 as the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute, the program begins its seventh year of operation in 2018-19. It offers hands-on colloquia that bridge theory, development, alumni networking, and real experiences in an interactive learning environment. Through this "value-added" endeavor, team leaders can enhance their impact on their teammates' and their program's performance, while learning critical skills that are applicable to postgraduate life.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jen to Bison Athletics," said Maisha Kelly, Bucknell's senior associate director of athletics who developed and managed the Leadership Institute from its inception in 2011 until the hiring of its first full-time coordinator in February of 2016. "Leadership development is strongly entrenched in our culture and has become an expectation of coaches and student-athletes alike. Jen has a rich history in working with student-athlete profiles similar to Bucknell's, and she provides a wealth of knowledge and experience in student-athlete development, specifically along the lines of executive training that successfully positions students to be successful during their undergraduate careers and beyond."
"I am very excited for this opportunity to work closely with the outstanding student-athletes and coaches at Bucknell," said Kentera. "It is clear that the student-athlete leadership program is a real priority at Bucknell, given the tremendous support from alumni, donors and staff. There is already a strong foundation in place with great buy-in, and I am eager to continue to expand the Leadership Institute even further. I am also excited to be joining Jermaine Truax at the start of his tenure as athletic director, to help him execute his vision for Bison Athletics."
At Boston College, Kentera developed and launched the school's first-ever, multi-level Eagles Leadership Institute. She created and implemented an original curriculum designed to enhance student-athletes' understanding of the foundation and execution of leadership, both on and off the field. Kentera also oversaw all student-athlete development programming, she was the adviser for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and she was the sport administrator for the Eagles' men's and women's swimming and diving teams.
Prior to her stint at Boston College, Kentera was assistant director (2011-14) and associate director (2014-16) of student-athlete support services at Boston University. In that role, she coordinated five levels of 130 student-athletes and 40 coaches in the Bloom Leadership Academy. Kentera also implemented multiple career, educational, wellness, personal and transitional programs for approximately 580 student-athletes. She was the academic adviser for seven sports while serving as the Terriers' SAAC adviser.
At Oregon, Kentera served as academic adviser to approximately 80 student-athletes from five sports in addition to other duties in the student-athlete services office.
Kentera began her undergraduate days at Canisius College, where she was a member of the swimming team. She was a school record-holder, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, and the winner of the team's Leadership Award. Kentera moved on to Clemson University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in athletic leadership.
While completing her master's degree in sports management at Florida State University from 2007-09, Kentera worked as an academic adviser and tutorial coordinator for approximately 120 FSU student-athletes.
Kentera is a trained facilitator with Huddle Up, ADL Campus of Difference, NCAA DiSC, and True Colors programs. She participated in the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement (IAA) in June 2016.
Kentera will officially begin her duties at Bucknell on Sept. 17.
Bucknell is a highly-selective, privately endowed liberal arts institution in Central Pennsylvania with an enrollment of 3,600 undergraduate students. Bison student-athletes compete in 27 intercollegiate sports at the Division I level. The University is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 18 of the 27 years it has been contested. Bucknell ranks among the all-time leaders in total number of Academic All-Americans and annually ranks in the top 10 nationally in student-athlete graduation rates and Academic Performance Rate (APR), according to the NCAA.
Most recently, Kentera has served as the assistant athletic director for student-athlete development at Boston College since the start of the 2016-17 academic year. Prior to that, Kentera spent five years as an associate director for student-athlete support services area at Boston University, including the coordination of the Bloom Leadership Academy and Lifeskills programs. She has also spent time as an academic adviser at Oregon (2009-11) and Florida State (2007-09).
"I am delighted to welcome Jen Kentera to the Bison family," said Truax. "Jen has earned a strong reputation for providing elite leadership programming to student-athletes, and she stood out among a very competitive field. The Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute is one of the best programs that we offer, with focused training in leadership attributes that prove to be beneficial well beyond the field of play. I look forward to the growth of our Institute under Jen's leadership, and the positive impact that it will have on our student-athletes."
Kentera will coordinate Bucknell's comprehensive student-athlete leadership development program that touches each of the more than 700 Bison student-athletes. Rebranded in 2016 as the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute, the program begins its seventh year of operation in 2018-19. It offers hands-on colloquia that bridge theory, development, alumni networking, and real experiences in an interactive learning environment. Through this "value-added" endeavor, team leaders can enhance their impact on their teammates' and their program's performance, while learning critical skills that are applicable to postgraduate life.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jen to Bison Athletics," said Maisha Kelly, Bucknell's senior associate director of athletics who developed and managed the Leadership Institute from its inception in 2011 until the hiring of its first full-time coordinator in February of 2016. "Leadership development is strongly entrenched in our culture and has become an expectation of coaches and student-athletes alike. Jen has a rich history in working with student-athlete profiles similar to Bucknell's, and she provides a wealth of knowledge and experience in student-athlete development, specifically along the lines of executive training that successfully positions students to be successful during their undergraduate careers and beyond."
"I am very excited for this opportunity to work closely with the outstanding student-athletes and coaches at Bucknell," said Kentera. "It is clear that the student-athlete leadership program is a real priority at Bucknell, given the tremendous support from alumni, donors and staff. There is already a strong foundation in place with great buy-in, and I am eager to continue to expand the Leadership Institute even further. I am also excited to be joining Jermaine Truax at the start of his tenure as athletic director, to help him execute his vision for Bison Athletics."
At Boston College, Kentera developed and launched the school's first-ever, multi-level Eagles Leadership Institute. She created and implemented an original curriculum designed to enhance student-athletes' understanding of the foundation and execution of leadership, both on and off the field. Kentera also oversaw all student-athlete development programming, she was the adviser for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and she was the sport administrator for the Eagles' men's and women's swimming and diving teams.
Prior to her stint at Boston College, Kentera was assistant director (2011-14) and associate director (2014-16) of student-athlete support services at Boston University. In that role, she coordinated five levels of 130 student-athletes and 40 coaches in the Bloom Leadership Academy. Kentera also implemented multiple career, educational, wellness, personal and transitional programs for approximately 580 student-athletes. She was the academic adviser for seven sports while serving as the Terriers' SAAC adviser.
At Oregon, Kentera served as academic adviser to approximately 80 student-athletes from five sports in addition to other duties in the student-athlete services office.
Kentera began her undergraduate days at Canisius College, where she was a member of the swimming team. She was a school record-holder, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, and the winner of the team's Leadership Award. Kentera moved on to Clemson University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in athletic leadership.
While completing her master's degree in sports management at Florida State University from 2007-09, Kentera worked as an academic adviser and tutorial coordinator for approximately 120 FSU student-athletes.
Kentera is a trained facilitator with Huddle Up, ADL Campus of Difference, NCAA DiSC, and True Colors programs. She participated in the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement (IAA) in June 2016.
Kentera will officially begin her duties at Bucknell on Sept. 17.
Bucknell is a highly-selective, privately endowed liberal arts institution in Central Pennsylvania with an enrollment of 3,600 undergraduate students. Bison student-athletes compete in 27 intercollegiate sports at the Division I level. The University is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 18 of the 27 years it has been contested. Bucknell ranks among the all-time leaders in total number of Academic All-Americans and annually ranks in the top 10 nationally in student-athlete graduation rates and Academic Performance Rate (APR), according to the NCAA.
In The Herd: NCAA National Championships Preview And Wade Shomper And Evelyn Bliss Features
Tuesday, June 09
Bucknell Women's Soccer - Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium 2026 Teaser Trailer
Tuesday, June 09
Bucknell Wrestling - June Update 2026
Thursday, June 04
In The Herd - 2026 Bucknell Reunion Weekend
Sunday, May 31