Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Small has announced that Merce Poindexter II has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Welfare & Compliance.

Poindexter joins Valpo Athletics after previously serving as Assistant AD of Academic Services at the University of Illinois, a role he began in January 2021. At Valpo, he will lead the academic services and compliance staff, serve as a member of the department’s senior staff and handle sport administrator responsibilities for select teams.

“I am thrilled to welcome Merce and his family to our Valpo Athletics family and our campus community,” Small said. “Merce has experience in leadership roles at his previous institutions that will serve him well as he joins our team. Many of his previous institutions are known for incorporating best-practice models related to supporting student-athletes. Merce’s background in student-athlete services will help us continue to promote holistic student-athlete development and help our student-athletes flourish. He will develop meaningful relationships and earned trust with our student-athletes, coaches, colleagues on campus and community members.”

During his time at Illinois, Poindexter served as a member of the athletic department’s senior staff. He provided oversight for Illini academic counselors and for part of his time in Champaign, he served as the lead academic counselor for football. He also served on Illinois’ diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

Prior to arriving in the Land of Lincoln, Poindexter was on staff at the University of Tennessee from February 2016 to January 2021. He started his time in Tennessee as Assistant Director of Academic Services before being promoted to Associate Director of Academic Services in November 2018. Poindexter oversaw academic support for the football and volleyball programs.

Poindexter spent time at Florida State University from June 2013 to February 2016. He started as an academic advisor for football and was promoted to senior academic advisor for football in October 2015. Poindexter also spent time as the football academic coordinator at Georgia Institute of Technology (June 2011 to June 2013) and assistant coordinator of academic services for football at the University of Akron (August 2009 to June 2011).

Poindexter graduated from the University of Akron in 2009 with a degree in business and organizational communication before earning his master’s in sport administration from Akron in 2011. The western Pennsylvania native was a student-athlete on the Zips football team and served as a team captain. He is a graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, which he participated in from 2020-2022. He will be moving to Valparaiso with his wife, Shelly, and their son, Zayne.

“I am truly honored to join the Valpo Athletics family and work alongside both Dr. Charles Small and an exceptional group of coaches and staff,” Poindexter said. “I look forward to cultivating a life-changing athletic experience for our student-athletes, which aligns with the mission and values of Valparaiso University. My family and I are excited to embrace the Valparaiso community.”