Nicole Alderson Harris was promoted to the position of Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer in July of 2025.
Harris joined the Rockets in March of 2023 as Senior Associate Athletic Director. Since then, she has been instrumental in providing leadership in the department's efforts in numerous areas, including the launch of the department's strategic plan, Rise Together, the addition of women's rowing and name-image-likeness initiatives, while serving as a key advisor on the hiring of several head coaches, including women's basketball, swimming & diving and rowing.
In addition to her administrative leadership roles, Harris serves as the sport administrator for football, women's basketball, women's swimming & diving and women's rowing, and has oversight over academics & student-athlete development and strength & conditioning. She also represents the University in Mid-American Conference governance structure as the department's senior woman administrator.
Prior to coming to Toledo, Harris served as Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development/Senior Woman Administrator at Grand Canyon University, an NCAA Division I school in Phoenix, Arizona. While at Grand Canyon, Harris served on the NIL Disclosure Committee and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Sports Management committees.
Harris also worked at Florida Atlantic University from 2015-21, managing the academic, life skills and career development for nearly 450 student-athletes in FAU's Student-Athlete Success Center. She began her career at the University of Louisville, her alma mater, where she was assistant director of academic and vocational services where she managed and oversaw academic support services in the Yum! Academic Center from 2012-15.
A native of Carlisle, Ont., Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance, with a double concentration in exercise science and physical education, as well as a Master of Science in sport administration, from Louisville. Harris was a four-year letterwinner on the women's rowing team for the Cardinals.
Harris and her husband Tryshawn make their home in Toledo.
NICOLE HARRIS FILE
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025-present The University of Toledo
- Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer
2022-25 The University of Toledo
- Executive Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer
2021-23 Grand Canyon University
- Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development/Senior Woman Administrator
2015-21 Florida Atlantic University
- 2016-21: Assistant Athletic Director/Associate Director, Student-Athlete Success Center
- 2016: Interim Director, Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence
- 2015-16: Assistant Director, Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence
2008-15 University of Louisville
- Assistant Director of Academic & Vocational Services
- Vocational & Academic Counselor
- Associate Academic Counselor
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science '07, Health and Human Performance, University of Louisville
Master of Science '09, Sport Administration, University of Louisville
