Deb Steward Named Associate VP for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation

ALFRED, NY – Following a successful national search led by CarrSports Consulting, Deb Steward has been appointed as the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation, as announced by Vice President for Student Experience Amy DeKay.

Steward previously served as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation since hired in January of 2023.

“I am honored to serve in this leadership role,” Steward said. “The last three months have shown me the authenticity and kindness of the AU community and the passionate commitment to the student experience.  I am extremely appreciative of the support I have received from Amy DeKay, President Mark Zupan, and COO/Provost Beth Ann Dobie and look forward to working with our athletics staff and Saxon Nation to build on our strong foundation of success.”

Since joining Alfred University, Steward led the design phase of the Saxon Hill Sports Complex project. She was also instrumental in the success of the program’s inaugural Alfy’s, which was an award night to recognize and celebrate graduating student-athletes as well as department award winners.

“I am honored that Deb Steward has accepted my offer to join Alfred University,” DeKay said. “She has extensive experience in athletics and recreation and has demonstrated in her career, the ability to lead staff with a focus on the process to achieve results.  As a strategic visionary, she will serve in a leadership role within Student Experience while focusing on athletics and recreation. We are lucky to have gained such a seasoned and talented individual.”

An award-winning administrator at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Steward was named the 2014 ECAC Division III Female Administrator of the Year and the 2017 Women Leaders in College Sports Division III Administrator of the Year. At HWS, she hired 20 head coaches, led record-breaking single day fundraising records, and was instrumental in improving multiple athletic and recreation facilities. Steward was central in the planning and fundraising efforts of the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, established the William Smith Athletics Endowment Fund and added women’s ice hockey as the department’s 12^th varsity sport in 2014. Under her supervision, the Statesmen and Herons received dozens of postseason tournament bids and won the 2013 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Championship.

Prior to HWS, Steward served as the Assistant Director of Athletics at Ithaca College. A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Steward previously worked at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as a successful softball coach and administrator and began her professional career at St. Mary’s (Minn.) University as a three-sport coach.

Alfred University Saxons compete on 23 varsity teams including 17 NCAA Division III sports, one USCSA (United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association) sport, one NCA (National Cheerleading Association), and three IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) sports. Roughly 30% of all undergraduates play a varsity sport, and approximately half of all AU students participate in either intramural or club sports