Dr. Jeri Beggs named Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
President Aondover Tarhule has named Dr. Jeri Beggs as Illinois State University’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, effective immediately, following a national search that began in November 2024. Beggs has served as Interim Director of Athletics since May 1, 2023, and brings a long history of service to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), and Illinois State.
“Dr. Beggs has demonstrated dynamic and visionary leadership in the interim role, and the search committee recognized her deep commitment to the student-athlete experience,” said Tarhule. “In addition to bringing her unique background as faculty athletics representative and an NCAA board member, she is a strong relationship builder that has helped establish a cohesive team of staff and coaches, a strong community of donors, and an engaged and growing Redbird fan-base to support our student-athletes.”
As a 21-year veteran professor in Illinois State’s Department of Marketing, Beggs stepped into the interim athletics leadership role at the University, helping guide student athletes and athletics staff through a climate of change in college athletics. She has championed the student-athlete experience at Illinois State through the ever-changing landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), modifications of the transfer portal, and opened new athletics facilities as a result of successful fundraising campaigns.
“I would like to thank President Tarhule for giving me an opportunity in the spring of 2023 and for his trust in my ability to lead Redbird Athletics today,” said Beggs. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished in the past two years and am ready for the challenges ahead. I will work with our coaches, staff, student-athletes, the University, and the community to continue to elevate our programs, win championships, and graduate our student-athletes. The support of Redbird Nation has been amazing, and I can’t wait to see how far we can go.”
Beggs holds an undergraduate degree in speech communication specializing in public relations and an MBA from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She earned her Ph.D. in marketing from St. Louis University.
Latest Publications
- Grounds crew plans controlled burns throughout month of MarchControlled open burning will be conducted by Illinois State University maintenance staff to manage vegetation on campus properties during the month of March, beginning over spring break.
- Retirement Recognition Reception, April 28, 2025President Aondover Tarhule will host Faculty, Administrative/Professional, and Civil Service retirees on Monday, April 28, 2025, for the Retirement Reception.
- ISU to celebrate neurodiversity with events and workshopsStudent Access and Accommodation Services, in collaboration with the Center for Integrated Professional Development, is thrilled to announce Neurodiversity Celebration Week, happening March 17-23, 2025.
- Milner Library welcomes guest speakers on topic of artificial intelligenceMilner Library, in partnership with the Julia N. Visor Center, is excited to invite the Illinois State campus community to two events discussing artificial intelligence and its impact on student success.
- BN-CARE team recipient of Environmental Stewardship Award for 2024-25The Bloomington-Normal Community Air Research Education team has been awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award for 2024-25.
- CAST Research Fellowship recipients announcedThe College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) has named Dr. Xing Fang, Dr. Scott Pierce, and Dr. Dawn Beichner-Thomas as recipients of the CAST Research Fellowship.
