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Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf has announced her retirement from UMBC, effective July 1, 2022, in order to pursue other career interests."UMBC afforded me multiple opportunities to build departments, mentor staff and help develop student-athletes and I will always be grateful," said Hammond-Graf. "Even my own growth as an executive leader is the direct result of experiences at UMBC. Nevertheless, I find myself looking beyond our ecosystem to other ways I can create positive change through sport."
She came to Baltimore in the fall of 2003, after short stints as an academic counselor/advisor at Penn, Tulane and LSU and probably did not envision the career she would carve out on Hilltop Circle. She served as assistant athletics director, academic services for student-athletes until 2014, when she replaced a retiring icon, Kathy Zerrlaut, as senior associate athletics director and senior women's administrator.
UMBC tabbed the 1995 UConn graduate as interim athletics director in the summer of 2019 and she returned to her role as deputy athletics director/SWA when Athletics Director Brian Barrio came on board in the winter of 2020.
"Jessica has been a steady and professional hand in our department and a wonderful colleague and friend to all of us on the staff," said Barrio. "More than anything, I will miss her consistent and tireless advocacy for our student-athletes as well as her sense of humor. While it is difficult to say good-bye, we are excited for her, and anxious to see what she can accomplish in the next chapter of her career."
During her tenure, Hammond-Graf earned a certificate in instructional systems design (UMBC, 2012) and, in 2017, began work on her doctorate at Frostburg State. She earned her Ed.D. in higher education and leadership in 2021 and her dissertation was entitled "Utilizing Sport as a Vehicle for the Process of Empowerment for Women."
"Despite her rise within the department, Jessica never strayed from our primary mission, which is striving for the best possible care of our student-athletes, while also holding them accountable," said Steve Levy, '85, associate athletics director, who has worked with Hammond-Graf throughout her tenure. "She also brought wonderful concepts- like The Grittys- to the external side of athletics. I will certainly miss the opportunity to run ideas past her or seek her counsel on the challenges we face in our ever-changing environment."
Hammond-Graf earned recognition for her work on campus and on the conference and national stages. She was honored by the men's lacrosse program, receiving the Dr. Martin Schwartz Award for contributions to the program in 2013, earned the Division of Student Affairs Outstanding Staff Award in 2014 and was awarded the Jakubik Family Endowment Award, UMBC Staff Award in April 2019.
In 2021-22, Hammond-Graf spearheaded UMBC Athletics' comprehensive Title IX/Women In Sports celebration, which included a virtual panel of alumnae and staff, a video series for UMBC social media accounts and a spring athletic events' schedule which highlighted UMBC-connected women's athletes.
"I personally owe Jess for taking a risk on me as a young coach," said Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Amy Slade. "She believed in me and my vision for what UMBC Lacrosse could become. As we continue to turn a program into a household name, we could not have done it without her support and guidance. I was lucky enough to build a strong working relationship with such a passionate woman. We wish Jess the best of luck and hope she will come back to support the Dawgs! "
Hammond-Graf served on a myriad of America East Conference panels and committees and just completed two years of service on the NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Committee.
"As I look around my mostly empty office at this stage, I am reminded that the memorabilia, the championships and celebrations do not quantify a career," said Hammond-Graf. "It is the individual connections with student-athletes, coaches, and staff that made UMBC a home for the past 19 years. Who you work with matters, and #RetrieverNation has certainly left an imprint on me. Thank you for an amazing journey."