JONESBORO, ARK. – Melanie Richardson, an Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette for the last four years, has accepted the positions of Associate Athletic Director for Student Support Services/Senior Woman Administrator with Arkansas State University’s Department of Athletics, Athletic Director Dean Lee announced Wednesday.

Richardson, who officially began her duties Jan. 1, replaces Kristen Davis who resigned from the university in September to accept another position.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be at Arkansas State,” said Richardson. “I’m excited to be able to return to the area of student services and student-athlete welfare. Everyone has been wonderful. It is unbelievable how warm and friendly and helpful everyone has been, not only on campus but within the community of Jonesboro as well.”

Richardson will work closely with academic affairs and housing and areas involving student-athlete welfare on the ASU campus as well as serve as the adviser to the Student-Athlete Adv isory Committee.

“We are very excited to have Melanie join our team,” said Dr. Lee. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and will greatly enhance our progress in the areas concerning student-athlete welfare.”

Prior to coming to ASU, Richardson was on the athletic staff at ULL on two different occasions—from 1997-98 and again in 2000. While there, she worked with university compliance operations as well as monitoring recruiting activities and team and individual financial aid limitations. She also conducted rules education programs for student-athlete, coaches, athletic staff, university administrators and boosters.

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