(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)DePaul President Robert L. Manuel has named Jocelyn Carter, professor of psychology in the College of Science and Health, as the next Faculty Athletics Representative. She succeeds Anna Marie Frank, associate professor of kinesiology in the College of Education, who
has served in the role since 2021. Carter’s appointment was effective August 1.
“I want to thank Ani for her dedication to athletics, as well as her overall commitment to our student athletes during her long tenure here,” says President Robert L. Manuel. “I am grateful that Jocelyn has agreed to serve as the next Faculty Athletics Representative. Her skills in psychology combined with her extensive research about the impact of sports programs on children and adolescents will offer excellent support to our students as well as the NCAA.”
The primary role of the Faculty Athletics Representative, or FAR, is to promote the academic welfare of DePaul's student athletes. The FAR interacts with coaches, advisors and academic units across the university to ensure that student athletes have the time and resources necessary to achieve the same level of academic success as all students.
“Throughout my time at DePaul, I’ve had the chance to directly interact with student athletes in the classroom and have seen how
Jocelyn Carter (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion) devoted they are to their studies,” Carter says. “In this new role, I look forward to continuing the efforts made by Dr. Frank to help the students meet their academic goals. I greatly admire the excellence and energy coming out of DePaul Athletics and I am excited to share that with my faculty colleagues.”
The FAR's responsibilities include co-chairing the Athletic Academic Eligibility Committee and serving as the DePaul representative for any NCAA and BIG EAST committees related to academics. The FAR also keeps faculty informed of student athletes' academic progress by sending a letter to all DePaul faculty at the beginning of each academic quarter listing the academic, not athletic, accomplishments earned.
“We know how important it is to have active faculty voices present in DePaul Athletics, the BIG EAST and in the NCAA,” says DeWayne Peevy, vice president and DePaul’s athletic director. “I look forward to working closely with Jocelyn as she preserves and elevates the academic integrity of the athletics program, ensuring our students will continue to excel inside the classroom and in competition.”
A St. Vincent de Paul professor, Carter is also the associate chair of the psychology department and was the director of clinical training from 2015-22. Her research program focuses on increasing physical activity and sports participation in children and adolescents as a way to reduce the impact of stress and improve health outcomes. She partners with community based organizations such as Urban Initiatives, America SCORES, the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, and The Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in order to understand how different sports settings can improve their offerings to the children, families, coaches and staff they serve.
Carter has also been the College of Science and Health representative to the University Athletic Board since 2017. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Yale University and a master’s degree and PhD in psychology from Vanderbilt University.