Eline Vermeulen Promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment, Bri Sowatskey Named First Enrichment Postgraduate Fellow
10/20/2022 10:08:00 AM | General
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell executive senior associate director of athletics and chief of staff Jen Kentera announced a pair of staff updates within the athletic department's robust student-athlete enrichment program. Eline Vermeulen has been promoted to assistant athletic director for student-athlete enrichment. Additionally, Bri Sowatskey has been hired as the department's first full-time student-athlete enrichment postgraduate fellow.
Vermeulen, who arrived in Lewisburg as a student-athlete development assistant in 2019, will oversee the newly created postgraduate fellow position and will now serve as the primary advisor for Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in addition to her expanded administrative duties.
"We are beyond excited to recognize the significant impact Eline has made in the department over the past three years, especially in helping to advance the opportunities and impact of the student-athlete enrichment program," said Kentera. "Her passion and commitment to this work can be seen not only in how she was able to assist with the program launch and navigating the uncertainties of COVID, but also as we continue to advance the goals of the Strategic Plan for our department and specifically the student-athlete experience."
Vermeulen has been instrumental in helping to elevate the impact of Bucknell's student-athlete enrichment program. During her time with the Bison she's helped streamline and enhance the Athletics Tutorial and Academic Coaching services, executed the inaugural Summer LEAD fellowship, which allows for student-athletes to virtually grow in their personal leadership skills, and has continued to expand the Athletics Community Service opportunities.
By fostering new relationships between partners and Bucknell student-athletes, Vermeulen's efforts have contributed to hundreds of hours of community service by Bucknell's athletics teams. She's also provided support to the continued growth of SAAC and the Leadership Institute in addition to facilitating multiple team dynamics sessions and special events.
Sowatskey comes to Bucknell after previously serving as an academic advising intern at her alma mater, Old Dominion University, where she assisted student-athletes with development workshops, provided one-on-one academic advising and aided students in course scheduling, study plans and goal setting.
Sowatskey is currently pursuing a master's degree in sport administration through the University of Cincinnati. In her newly created role at Bucknell, she'll assist with the planning and execution of all aspects of student-athlete enrichment, focusing on health and wellness, professional development, academic support, leadership and community service. She'll also serve as co-advisor for SAAC and provide marketing and promotional support through social media.
"As we continue to invest in this space, we are very excited to have the addition of our first postgraduate fellow, Brianna Sowatsky. Bri's experience and enthusiasm for connecting with student-athletes and helping to support their four-year journey is in alignment with all that student-athlete enrichment hopes to provide. We look forward to her joining the Bison Athletics family," said Kentera.