FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern Director of Athletics Michael Mominey today announced the hiring of Yashiva Edwards as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and NCAA Rules Education. Edwards brings the Sharks a multitude of experience in compliance, academic enhancement and student services, following an All-American collegiate career in the Sunshine State.
“We are excited that Yashiva Edwards will be joining our team here at NSU,” Mominey said. “Her experience in intercollegiate athletics speaks for itself and her experience in higher education, as a whole, will serve her well in her new role.”
Edwards comes to Fort Lauderdale after serving four years as the Director of Compliance at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She also spent the past year as the conference compliance chairperson for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and was an oversight committee member for the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program during two years of her tenure with the Golden Lions. At UAPB, she was a member of the senior management team and was responsible for the compliance efforts surrounding the program’s 16 NCAA Division I sports.
“I’m excited to join Nova Southeastern University and the Sharks family,” Edwards said. “I’m thankful to AD Mominey and look forward to the opportunity to be part of a great athletics program and to building relationships with the Nova Southeastern community.”
Edwards began her career in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, Ind., where she interned in the Office of Professional Development. Edwards assisted in the planning, implementing and managing of special events programs (Champ/Life Skills Orientation Conference, Conference Intern Seminar, Title IV Seminar) within the department of Education Services.
In 2005, Edwards was named the Program Manager for the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She coordinated all processes pertaining to the Office of Student-Affairs related programs (New Student Orientation, EXPO Week, Career Cycles Workshop and Outreach) through project planning, program communications, resource management and quality assurance. In addition, Edwards was a co-advisor to Promote 360-A Cycle of Empowerment and Support – a student organization group that aims to enhance the social, academic and professional well-being of minority and underrepresented students.
In 2007, Edwards returned to her alma mater, Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., where she was named the Assistant Director for the Office of Student-Athlete Services. In her capacity at FSU, she assisted with the development, implementation and service of comprehensive programming for student-athletes in the areas of leadership, career and personal development.
In addition, she oversaw the Seminoles’ community service program which earned national recognition in 2009 from the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. She also co-facilitated/instructed development programs – New Student-Athletic Orientation, First Year Experiences, Seniors in Transition, Dining Etiquette and Peers Helping Athletes Transition.
After a stint as Athletics Coordinator for the City of Hernando, Miss., Edwards returned to intercollegiate athletics in 2013, when she was named the Athletics Compliance Officer/Academic Enhancement Coordinator at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn. While at LeMoyne-Owen she implemented, coordinated, monitored and evaluated the college’s compliance programs to ensure compliance with all LOC, SIAC and NCAA rules and regulations.
Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Edwards was a two-year letter winner in track and field at Florida State, earning her undergraduate degree in Sociology from FSU in 1997, followed by a master’s degree in Sports Administration in 1999. This former sprinter for the Seminoles still ranks in the top 10 in the 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×100 meter relay and 4×400 meter relay. She was a six-time All-American in track and field, a 1996 Olympic Trials participant and the 2010-11 recipient of the Division of Student Affairs Partner with a Purpose Award. In addition, she was an Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Team selection and co-recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award.