Emerson College welcomes Stephanie Smyrl as the new Associate Dean for Campus Life & Director of Athletics, beginning the role on May 22, 2023. Smyrl joins Emerson from Lesley University, serving as Athletic Director since 2019.
“Stephanie brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Emerson, and I have the utmost confidence that she will grow and strengthen the College’s athletic tradition and deepen the Lion pride among our community and beyond,” said Jim Hoppe, Vice President and Dean for Campus Life.
“I’m thrilled to join Emerson and to work alongside and collaborate with our deeply committed student-athletes and athletics staff, further fostering the vision of the Athletics Department,” said incoming Athletics DIrector Stephanie Smyrl. “I strongly believe in the mission and values of the College, and Athletics’ emphasis on leadership and learning.”
Smyrl was promoted to Lesley University’s Director of Athletics in January of 2019 after serving as Interim Director of Athletics from June 2018 to January 2019. Smyrl joined the Athletic Department as the Associate Athletic Director in November of 2017, after eleven years in former New England Collegiate Conference member Wheelock's Athletic Department. In her tenure at Wheelock she served as the Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator for nine years, and previously as the Assistant Athletic Director from 2008-09.
Among Smyrl’s accomplishments during her tenure at Lesley University, she spearheaded Lesley’s application and acceptance into the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), initiated a multi-tiered partnership for off-campus athletic facilities that serve all programs and significantly enhance the student-athlete and spectator experience, utilized a budget increase to improve student-athlete experience, increase assistant coaches pay, and ensured continued financial equality across all programs, and was nominated by the President to serve on the Administrative Leadership Group. Additionally, she was selected to serve on the NAC Membership Committee and nominated to serve on the NCAA DIII Advisory Council.
Smyrl began her coaching career at Endicott College, serving as a Women's Soccer assistant coach for two years. Smyrl holds an MBA from Endicott College and received her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University. A four-year member of the Division I Women’s Soccer team, the Pittsburgh native was named co-captain her senior year. Smyrl resides in Boston with her wife, Leise and their twins Kellam and Evie.
