KANSAS CITY, Kan. (July 23, 2019) --  University of Wyoming Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), Dr. China Jude, has been named the 2019 Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year which was announced today by the Women Leaders in College Sports. She will be honored Tuesday, October 15 at the Jostens Administrator of the Year Luncheon at the 2019 Women Leaders National Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.  
 
The Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award is presented annually to an athletics administrator who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson. This award is given to an individual who demonstrates qualities such as courage, conviction, and perseverance, and who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity. This award honors athletics administrators who are NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement graduates, and demonstrate vision and outstanding leadership.
 
"Working in the diversity and inclusion space is a lifetime commitment for me," Jude said. "I am honored that my work on creating initiatives to advocate for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of ethnic minorities in this industry is recognized. It is important also to recognize those who I have partnered with in creating many of those initiatives. From those organizations and individuals who sponsor MOAA and the Women of Color AD Network to my Athletics Director Tom Burman, who embrace these strategies in the department, this recognition is a celebration for all of us, especially at UW."
 
Jude assumed the role of Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Wyoming on Feb. 1, 2018. Jude has a primary leadership role in the management of gender equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, staff development, and monitoring of the strategic plan and sexual assault violence prevention programming. She also supervises sports medicine, sports performance, nutrition and serves as sport oversight in women's volleyball and women's soccer.

Jude currently serves on the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Committee and is the President of the Minority Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA). She is also the Founder of the Women of Color (WoC) Athletic Directors Network, a grassroots group that promotes mentorship, influences policy and engages in advocacy for women of color in senior executive leadership positions in the athletics industry. This autonomous group celebrated its fourth anniversary in June, 2019.
    
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes. Follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @WomenLeadersCS.