Princeton Announces JT Turner As Associate Director of Athletics For Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Princeton Athletics has announced the hiring of Jordan "JT" Turner as its first Associate Director of Athletics for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Turner comes to Princeton from the University of Illinois, Chicago where they currently serve as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center.

"I'm incredibly excited to have Jordan joining the Princeton Athletics family," said Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack '00. "Jordan is a proven leader and they will be an invaluable asset as we continue to foster a diverse and inclusive culture in Princeton Athletics. I'm certain Jordan will have an immediate and positive impact on the experience of our student-athletes, coaches and staff."

Turner's role with Princeton Athletics will be to lead the athletic department's efforts to create and maintain a culture of mutual respect and unity and to combat bias based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race and all other identities. They will have oversight of all aspects of DEI education and training for student-athletes, coaches and staff with Princeton Athletics. The position will also work collaboratively with the University's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, and Campus Life.

"When I think about the impact sports has at a university and in our larger society, I get inspired by the difference I will be able to help make in my new role at Princeton," said Turner. "We are living in a time where student-athlete well-being is capturing national attention and I believe Princeton Athletics has a role in that conversation. I know this work cannot be done in silos and must be intersectional. I look forward to building relationships across Princeton to advance the University's mission and commitment to equity."

Born and raised in Raleigh, N.C., Turner (they/them) has over a decade of experience working on college campuses alongside athletic departments and university leadership to oversee the well-being and development of student athletes across various forms of play. Their approach to student-athletes is deeply informed by their understanding of community development and historical and current day justice movements.

In their work, they have supported marginalized college students through roles in Residence Life and Multicultural Student Affairs at The University of Connecticut and Northwestern University. As Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center at The University of Illinois- Chicago, they consulted campus departments on efforts to push the dial on culture to make campuses more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Prior to UIC, they worked at Northwestern University, serving as Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Advisor to the Black Student Union, and head of outreach and support for students of color and LGBTQ+ students. As a scholar practitioner, Turner has focused their work on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. Turner has served on the executive board for The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals as well as on the leadership team for ACPA's Commission of Social Justice Educators. In addition to their work in higher education, Turner partners effectively with non-profit organizations, religious institutions, and corporations to build anti-racist and inclusive workplace and learning environments.

Turner has a master's degree in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. They have also studied in the Master of Divinity Program at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary with a specific interest in Queer theology.

Turner is an avid hip-hop fan, foodie, and enjoys reading, writing, attending WNBA games, and traveling with family.

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