BROWN UP CLOSE

PERSONAL

Hometown: Rockford, Illinois

EDUCATION

College: Northern Illinois, 2003 (bachelor's in education)
Graduate School: Ohio University, 2014 (master's in sports administration)

ATHLETICS WORK EXPERIENCE

2003-05: Big Ten Conference (Championships and Women's Basketball Intern)
2005-08: Big Ten Conference (Assistant Director of Championships and Women's Basketball Operations)
2008-09: Big Ten Conference (Associate Director of Championships and Women's Basketball Operations)
2010-13: Big East Conference (Director of Sports Administration)
2013-14: American Athletic Conference (Director of Basketball Administration)
2014-20: Maryland (Associate AD, Administration)
2020-22: Texas A&M (Deputy AD, Student-Athlete Experience)
2022-: Texas A&M (Deputy AD, Administration and Leadership)

Kristen Brown joined the Athletics Department in March 2020 and currently serves as Deputy Athletics Director for Administration and Leadership.

Brown directs the newly-created Engagement unit that works to ensure the talents of all coaches and administrators are supported at the highest level, and she oversees the compliance department on a permanent basis. Already working closely with Ross Bjork and serving as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator, Brown is the sports administrator for women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

She spent her first two years at Texas A&M as Deputy Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Experience, during which she provided executive leadership for the department on all matters related to student-athlete engagement including academics, life skills and career development served as sports administrator for seven sports, and led the department's Diversity & Inclusion efforts.

Brown came to Aggieland after serving as Associate Athletic Director-Administration at the University of Maryland since 2014. At Maryland, programs under Brown's direct supervision produced two National Championships, six Big Ten Regular Season Championships, three Big Ten Tournament Championships, and advanced to seven Final Fours. Prior to her tenure at Maryland, Brown served as a conference administrator for the American Athletic Conference, the Big East, and the Big Ten Conference.

"Texas A&M has such a strong tradition and rich history," Brown said. "Immediately, I felt how special this place is, meeting leadership that is fully committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience. I'm grateful to Ross Bjork for this incredible opportunity to join Texas A&M Athletics, and to be part of one of the top academic institutions in the country. My time in Maryland was very special, and my thanks goes to the coaches, staff, student-athletes and athletics director Damon Evans for a rewarding experience that lasted over five years."

In addition to her administrative duties at Maryland, Brown served as the department's Diversity & Inclusion Officer and was a member of the university's Diversity & Inclusion Cabinet. Within the department, she played a key role in the development of a professional development program for department's staff, served on the Big Ten sports management committee, and chaired numerous committees related to head coach hiring searches. Externally, Brown led the department's Championships and Community Engagement units, which included the Share the Shell program, the winner of the 2017 NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

With regard to Brown's leadership and involvement outside the university, AD Ross Bjork added, "With Kristen's experience at several collegiate athletic conferences and her sport oversight experience at Maryland, she brings a national perspective about college athletics and she will also help our entire athletic program flourish at the highest level. We believe Texas A&M should be a leader nationally and in the SEC and Kristen is just the right person to help propel our collective vision."

A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Brown was a two-time letter winner in women's basketball. The Rockford, Ill, native also holds a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University.