Patty Medina joined American University in December 2023 and currently serves as the Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development and Inclusive Excellence. With 17 years of experience in higher education and athletics, she plays a pivotal role in advancing student-athlete success, driving brand strategy, and elevating fan and community engagement for AU Athletics.
As a member of the senior leadership team, Medina oversees a broad portfolio that includes student-athlete development, diversity and inclusive excellence initiatives, fan engagement and in-game marketing for AU’s high-revenue sports (men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and wrestling), corporate sponsorship activations, and community partnerships. She also serves as sport supervisor for women’s soccer, cheer, and dance, and provides departmental oversight of Title IX compliance and education.
Since arriving at AU, Medina has:
- Rebranded and expanded AU’s Inclusive Excellence program, AUnited, aligning initiatives with institutional priorities.
- Directed fan engagement and brand strategy through cultural celebration games, student-athlete storytelling campaigns, and innovative in-game activations that increased attendance and revenue.
- Launched student-athlete leadership and career readiness initiatives title "Beyond The Jersey", including mentor-mentee programs with corporate partners like Leidos and M&T Bank.
- Collaborated with AU’s marketing, communications, and enrollment teams to ensure athletics branding reflects the university’s mission and strengthens national visibility.
- Served as advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), guiding student-athlete civic engagement, leadership, and NIL education efforts.
A former college head coach turned administrator, Medina continues to be recognized for her influence in women’s basketball and beyond. Silver Waves Media named her one of the 2025 Most Impactful People in Women’s College Basketball, and she has earned national honors including the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, NACDA U Grant, the N4A Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award, the N4A Opportunities Scholarship, and selection to the Women Leaders in Sports Leadership Enhancement Institute (LEI).
Beyond AU, Medina serves on the Board of Directors for the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and is the Chair of the NACDA/N4A Ethnic Concerns Committee, where she leads national initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and professional advancement in intercollegiate athletics. She is also the Founder of the Hooper Mentality Foundation and Co-Founder of Latinx En Athletics, two organizations focused on athlete empowerment, career development, and community impact.
Before joining AU, Medina was Associate AD at Harford Community College in Maryland, where she led daily operations for 13 varsity teams, student-athlete development, and DEI engagement. She also spent 17 years as a women’s basketball coach, earning Western Region NCCAA Coach of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018, and most recently helping lead Our Lady of the Lake University to the 2020 Red River Athletic Conference Championship.
Medina holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Diego State University and dual master’s degrees in Education and Organizational Leadership from National University.
