Florida A&M names director of athletics. Who is the new woman in charge?

Florida A&M University has found its next director of athletics in Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.

Sykes, 42, most recently worked at Dartmouth College as the executive senior associate athletics director for varsity sports and the senior woman administrator.

She is the the second woman director of athletics (first of overall athletics) in FAMU's history after Sarah Hill-Yates, who worked in the department from 1977 to 1988.

Sykes will be introduced at 10:00 a.m. inside of Lee Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

"I'm honored to have been chosen to lead one of the nation's most historic programs," Sykes said in a released statement. "With being the 50th anniversary of Title IX, I recognize the significance of me joining the FAMU family in this role.

"I look forward to working with all of the Rattlers in continuing the outstanding legacy that resides on the "Highest of Seven Hills."

This comes six months following former FAMU VP and director of athletics Kortne Gosha suddenly stepping down from his positions. The news of Gosha's departure roiled many in the Rattler fanbase, including football coach Willie Simmons, as FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson, Ph.D quickly named veteran employee Michael Smith as the interim athletics director.

Gosha has since been hired as Tulane University's senior associate athletic director.

FAMU, meanwhile, launched a nationwide search with headed by search committee chair Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D and an 18-person search committee.

Robinson made the final call in finalizing the hire.

"We are happy to welcome Ms. Tiffani-Dawn Sykes into the FAMUly," he said. "Her credentials are impeccable and her demonstrated commitment to excellence are what we need to move our program forward. I am excited about this hire and look forward to working with her to take FAMU to the next level.

"I must also extend a special thank you to Interim VP/AD Michael Smith for his exemplary service during his tenure."

"I want to thank the student-athletes, staff, and coaches for all of your work, service, and support during this process and for helping Ms. Sykes become successful as she joins the FAMUly"

FAMU hired DHR International to assist collecting applications, nominations, and recruiting candidates to help narrow down three unranked candidates which were reported as Sykes, Florida Sports Foundation President and CEO Angela Suggs, and former Temple Deputy Director of Athletics Craig Angelos.

MORE RATTLERS NEWS COVERAGE

► Award time! Naming FAMU football's midseason MVP's, biggest surprise, best assistant, and more

► Start to Finish: FAMU coach Willie Simmons wants to 'put together 60 minutes of solid football'

► Hoops on the Horizon: FAMU basketball teams preparing to turn the page, opening season with challenging schedule

Who is Tiffani-Dawn Sykes?

Sykes is a 2001 graduate of Virginia State University with a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, recreation and dance. She earned her master’s degree in sports administration at Grambling State University.

While an undergrad, she was a team captain and four-year starter for the Virginia State's volleyball team and a three-year track and field letterwoman.

Sykes was originally hired as Dartmouth's associate athletics director for compliance in Oct. 2019 and was promoted a year later to the senior associate athletics director for varsity sports while also assuming a senior woman administrator role.

Her second promotion came in March 2022 when she was elevated to executive senior associate athletics director for varsity sports while still maintaining the senior woman administrator position.

In December 2021, Sykes was named to a 14-person NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee that exchanges communication and understanding between the NCAA, the United States Olympic Commission and national governing bodies.

Sykes has SWAC experience, serving as the assistant athletics director for compliance at Grambling State for nearly three years. She also supervised the women's baseball, softball, and women's tennis teams at Grambling.

At Grambling, Sykes created "The Maul," a fueling station for student-athletes to recharge with healthy snacks free of charge.

Sykes' other stops includes Norfolk State, Chowan University, Virgina Union, St. Paul's College, and the CIAA office.

Sykes also holds memberships to the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC), and Women Leaders in College Sports, and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Athletics: Tiffani-Dawn Sykes hired as new Director of Athletics