Dr. Monique Carroll Named Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Chicago State University

Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka Scott, Esq. announced today the hiring of Dr. Monique Carroll as the University's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. The appointment follows a comprehensive nationwide search led by an internal search committee and supported by higher education placement firm Renaissance Search and Consulting. Carroll will start her new role on September 1, 2022.

"With a strong roster of coaches and student-athletes, continued impressive academic performance by our student-athletes, and growing investment into the department, the position drew competitive interest from across the country," said President Scott. "As a strong leader with a track record of prioritizing student-athletes' success and elevating program brands, Monique is ready to bring our Division I program to the next level."

Over the last three years, the Chicago State Cougars' 15 Division I programs have made tremendous strides. Chicago State has made significant capital investments in facilities that support the program including adding a new floor to its premier stadium, the renovation of strength and conditioning facilities for student athletes, and resurfacing the court used in competitive play for volleyball. The program also added an additional varsity sport-men's soccer.  The soccer team will compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), while men's and women's tennis will compete as an affiliate member in the Horizon League. All programs have full Division I competitive play. The Cougars student-athletes also saw success in the classroom. Program athletes achieved a collective spring GPA of 3.25 and have earned a combined GPA of 3.0 or better in the previous six semesters, dating back to the 2019-20 academic year.

A native of New Boston, Texas, Dr. Carroll brings more than 14 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as an executive and administrator at institutions such as Prairie View A&M University and South Carolina State University. Most recently, Carroll served as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Huston-Tillotson University where she oversaw 13 programs and was able to increase fundraising by over 80% by engaging with local partners, negotiated a department- wide apparel deal with Adidas, launched an e-sports program and championed student-athlete initiatives for over 240 Ram student athletes. Other notable accomplishments include increasing ticket sales by 60% and raising revenue by 46% at Prairie View A&M.

Caroll holds a EdD in Education with an emphasis on Sports Management from North Central University and a masters degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy. She is a former Division I multi-sport student-athlete having competed at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Secondary Health and Physical Education.

"The commitment, energy, and skills from athletes, coaches, the institution, and the community at Chicago State University is unparalleled," said Dr. Carroll. "I am proud to lead the Cougars into our next era of excellence."
 
Carroll replaces Elliott Charles who left the University in May 2022 to pursue consulting. Since his departure, the Athletics Department has advanced under the interim leadership of Jessica Poole, who served as a deputy athletic director under Charles. Carroll will report directly to the president and serve as a member of the senior administrative team.  

What They're Saying About Dr. Monique Carroll

Duane Lewis, Associate Athletic Director, Public Relations & Sports Media, Jackson State University 
"Dr. Carroll has always been a forward thinker. In every role as an innovative administrator, she has always kept student-athletes at the forefront of every decision. She cares about their holistic success, not just as students and athletes, but also as growing young adults. Her passion for the departmental success of coaches and staff in alignment with University success will shine through daily. Chicago State hit a grand slam by selecting Dr. Carroll to lead CSU Athletics."

Ashley Robinson, Vice President / Director of Athletics, Jackson State University
"Dr. Carroll has always been a hard-worker and diligent in every endeavor. From internal operations to external operations, every step of her career has prepared her for this tremendous opportunity. As a former four-sport collegiate athlete, she understands what her student-athletes face on a daily basis. As a sport administrator and athletic director, she cultivates strong relationships with coaches and staff to build winning cultures. Chicago State University has hired a rising star in college athletics. She will work tirelessly to elevate the Cougars to new heights."

Liz Mikel, Director of Member Engagement, Thrivent Financial
"Chicago State has made an incredible decision in naming Dr. Monique Carroll their new Athletics Director. As a partner at her previous institution, Huston-Tillotson University, she built a partnership with our organization and others to give her students and faculty a richer educational and life experience. Monique is strategic, collaborative, and cares about her student athletes' development in every facet of life, on and off 'the field.' I'm thrilled to see Monique move into this role and to impact the lives of young adults at CSU!"

Byron Smith, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Prairie View A&M University
"Monique Carroll was a joy to work with. I found her to be unbelievably talented, prepared and extremely professional when we were colleagues. She always made my job easier and did whatever she could to assist our program to the best of her ability. Chicago State definitely got it right with this home run hire."

Wayne Knox, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Huston-Tillotson University
"Dr. Monique Carroll is an exceptional leader who has reached a new height! The Huston-Tillotson University fRAMily is grateful for the time Dr. Carroll has spent with us to enhance the rich legacy of HT Athletics. Chicago State University is receiving a dynamic and innovative leader who truly believes in the holistic development of STUDENT-athletes!"

About Chicago State
Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student-athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. In 1991, the Chicago State women's tennis team became the first all-black college team to amass an unbeaten season at the NCAA level. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title, also making an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet. Chicago State volleyball recorded a historic season in 2021, with Yanlis Feliz becoming CSU's first volleyball All-American and head coach Tony Trifonov earning selection as WAC Coach of the Year. During that same season, three different CSU teams earned victories over Big Ten opponents with men's soccer beating Northwestern, women's basketball upending Wisconsin and volleyball, which established a school record 17 wins and hosted a post-season volleyball tournament for the first time in program history, swept Indiana in Bloomington.

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