HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Vice President & Director of Athletics Mike Odom announced Monday the hiring of Kirsten Elleby as Deputy Athletics Director for Administration. Elleby brings over 20 years of professional athletics experience to Northern Kentucky's senior staff, after serving most recently at Syracuse University. 

Elleby's role as Deputy AD for Administration will see her serve as the lead sport administrator for Northern Kentucky's Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Men's Volleyball, and STUNT programs, while also overseeing NKU's Sports Medicine and Strength and Conditioning programs. She will work closely with the leadership team to advance the department's strategic priorities, support program development, and contribute to the continued growth of Norse Athletics. 

"Kirsten is an outstanding addition to our leadership team and brings tremendous experience, perspective and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed," Odom said. "Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an ability to build strong relationships, support coaches and staff, and lead with the student-athlete experience at the center of her work. I'm excited about the impact she will have across our department, and we're thrilled to welcome Kirsten and her family to Norse Nation."

Elleby spent over four years at Syracuse University, where she served as the Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator for the Orange. Elleby served as a member of the Athletics Executive leadership team, contributing to long-term strategic planning and operational decision making for the department. Elleby was the primary sport administrator for Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, and Softball while at Syracuse, and served as the department's liaison to the University's Title IX and Community Standards offices, while overseeing gender equity and professional development initiatives. 

Her impact on Orange athletics included efforts to enhance the student-athlete experience; supporting execution of upgrades to Syracuse's volleyball and softball facilities, providing oversight for a multi-million dollar budget for the women's basketball program, and coordinating Title IX and student welfare initiatives. Elleby also helped lead the charge in Syracuse Women's Basketball's 136% increase in philanthropic fundraising from 2025 to 2026. She chaired the committee for the Women's Basketball program's Final Four 10-Year Anniversary Celebration in 2025-26, helping to boost alumni and community engagement in Syracuse Athletics.

Elleby served in the Atlantic Coast Conference's governance structure as a Senior Woman Administrator, representing Syracuse's institutional interests regarding Olympic sports and also serving on ACC Women's Tennis, ACC Field Hockey and ACC Infractions and Sportsmanship Review Committees. In addition, Elleby served on and chaired multiple hiring committees, including five head coach hirings.

"I am incredibly grateful and honored to join Northern Kentucky University and become part of the Norse family," Elleby said. "I look forward to working alongside our coaches, staff and student-athletes, as well as our campus and community partners, who are so important to the success of NKU Athletics. I am committed to building meaningful relationships, listening and learning from those within Athletics and across campus, and working collaboratively to create a best-in-class experience for our student-athletes."
"A special thank you to Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Odom for having the faith in me to be part of his leadership team," added Elleby. "I appreciate his leadership and vision for NKU Athletics and am excited about what we can build together."

Prior to her tenure at Syracuse, Elleby served in a senior leadership role as the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment/SWA at the University of New Orleans (now LSU New Orleans). There, she served as a sport administrator for Women's Basketball, Cross Country/Track & Field, Men's and Women's Tennis, and Indoor and Beach Volleyball programs. Elleby oversaw academic services, NCAA compliance, student-athlete development, community outreach, sports medicine, SAAC, and was the Deputy Title IX coordinator for Athletics. As the Senior Woman Administrator, she was a member of the Southland Conference Advisory Council and served on the Awards Subcommittee.

From 2007 to 2016, Elleby worked in compliance at Wake Forest University, first as an assistant director, then as a director, then as the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Support. She also developed the Woman2Woman (W2W) Mentorship Program for female student-athletes and served as sport administrator for the spirit teams.

While at Coppin State, Elleby held a variety of administrative roles including academic support, compliance, and student-athlete development, and was the advisor for SAAC from 2004 to 2007.

Elleby earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Spelman College and a Master's degree in Sport Management from Old Dominion University. Professionally, Elleby is a 2021 graduate of the prestigious NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. She is also a member of Women Leaders in Sports and completed the NACWAA/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement program in 2009.

After growing up as a military brat, Elleby now calls Baltimore, Maryland, home. She and her daughter, Angely, will reside in the Northern Kentucky area.