Showcasing our Academic Athletic Fellows: Karen Jezierny

Karen Jezierny
Public Affairs
Fellow for Women's Soccer and Women's Basketball

What do you do at Princeton?
I am the director of Public Affairs for the University. I manage the relationships between the University and statewide organizations including members of the Legislature and the Executive branch of state government, advocacy organizations, professional groups, and others

How did you get involved in the Academic Athletic Fellows program?
I volunteered! Twelve years ago my daughter (who is now a college athlete) was playing youth soccer. We attended a number of number of women's soccer games -- it was 2004, the year the Tigers made it to the final four of the NCAA women's soccer tournament. The entire season was just electric -- energy, enthusiasm, excellence characterized the team and it's fans. My family and I were thrilled to have the opportunity to be in the stands to be part of that season! Soon after the season ended, a colleague mentioned the fellows program to me; he was serving as a fellow for the baseball team and he thought I would might enjoy participating with the soccer team. He made the introduction to then-coach Julie Shackford; I volunteered and, lucky for me, Coach Shackford accepted! A few years later, when women's basketball coach Courtney Banghart arrived on campus, we worked on a breast cancer awareness project that she wanted to implement at Princeton. The program that Coach Banghart brought to Princeton was part of a national initiative of the collegiate women's basketball coaches association. I guess she thought I did a good job because she asked me to be a Fellow for women's basketball. I resisted a bit at first as I knew nothing about the game of basketball. But she was persistent and I relented and I've had a grand time being part of Princeton women's basketball family!

What's the most rewarding aspect of being an Academic Athletic Fellow?
The best part of the program is getting to know the student-athletes. I don't work with students in my 'day job'; mine is an administrative role and much of what I do happens off campus. Being a part of the Academic Athletic Fellows program connects me to students and to the academic programs at Princeton. Princeton is one of the greatest undergraduate institutions in the country and our student-athletes are extraordinary. I have great respect and admiration for all that they accomplish -- on the field, on the court, in the pool, in the gym, on the course...AND in the classroom. They represent, for me, a significant part of the heart and soul of Princeton and they remind me on a daily basis what matters and why. My relationships with our student-athletes makes it easy for me to represent Princeton in the larger community because they provide personal reminders of the mission of our university.

Courtney Banghart, head women's basketball coach on Karen:
"Karen is the quintessential teammate. She cares so genuinely about the people here (past, present, and future) - students, faculty, and coaches alike. She genuinely believes in (and articulates) the life-changing opportunities that this collegiate experience provides, on and off campus. She is a doer, a connector, and a selfless member of the bigger Princeton team. My players stop in and visit her during the day, they ask for her help in writing a recommendation or resume, or to think about off-campus summer opportunities. She is truly their counselor, their cheerleader, their mentor, and their friend. KJ is all things right about the faculty fellow program at Princeton and the perfect representative of the liason between academic, athletic, and civic opportunities for our student-athletes. She absolutely makes us better."

Sean Driscoll, head women's soccer coach on Karen:
"From the minute I first met Karen, I was a huge fan. She is wonderfully charismatic and possesses a passion for this school that is unmistakeable. It is impossible not to feel more fulfilled and greater attachment to Princeton after spending five minutes with her. Her genuine care for those around her is evident every minute of every day. What our team and staff have learned is that Karen will always find time to provide guidance, despite a hectic schedule. She has even, on many occasions, met with prospective student-athletes and their families to offer insight into the University. In my two years on campus, I have witnessed her magic time and time again. Whether she is surprising our team with ice cream, attending a faculty fellow event, cheering us on at games, guiding our players during individual meetings or helping them with job searches, Karen has had a profound impact on the lives of our student-athletes. I am so grateful that she is a part of our program and know she will continue to guide and inspire our players and staff for years to come."

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