Dr. Abby Wilson joined UCF Athletics in May 2021 as Deputy Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services and serves as the Knights’ Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
Wilson leads a comprehensive portfolio dedicated to student-athlete success and well-being, overseeing Academic Services, the Knights Leadership Academy, Sports Medicine, and Mental Health & Performance. In addition, she provides administrative oversight of UCF’s dietitians and nutrition center, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), student conduct, and Equity and Title IX initiatives.
Wilson came to UCF to reunite with Vice President and Athletics Director Terry Mohajir after spending seven years at Arkansas State as senior associate athletics director for student services under his leadership. She joined the Red Wolves staff in August 2014, where she guided student-athlete services to record levels of achievement in grade-point average, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
As a member of Arkansas State’s senior management staff, Wilson was responsible for all student support services, including academics, counseling, and student conduct/discipline. She worked closely with the Student-Athlete Health and Support Committee, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and the Student-Athletes Global Initiative Program, while also serving on the University C.A.R.E. Team.
Wilson arrived at Arkansas State after serving as assistant director of athletics for academic services and SWA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) beginning in July 2014. Prior to that, she was UALR’s at-risk academic advisor starting in August 2011, overseeing the academic progress of at-risk student-athletes.
At UALR, Wilson coordinated the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and supported gender equity and Title IX initiatives as assistant athletics director for academics and SWA. In her role as at-risk academic advisor, she counseled student-athletes on academics, assisted with class schedules, developed and delivered learning strategies, consulted with coaches and faculty, oversaw tutoring sessions, and monitored study hall and academic progress. Under her leadership, UALR posted the highest GSR of all Division I institutions in Arkansas with a 93 percent graduation rate, while 67 percent of student-athletes earned a cumulative GPA above 3.0 in the fall of 2013. She also played a key role in organizing UALR’s annual fundraising event (SpectacUALR) and coordinated student-athlete events such as “Play for Kay,” etiquette training, and senior dinners.
Wilson first joined UALR in August 2006 as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s tennis teams, before being promoted to head women’s tennis coach in August 2007. During her tenure, UALR earned both the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) Team Academic Award and Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Team honors for four consecutive seasons (2008-12). Her program produced a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection twice (2009-10 and 2010-11) and an Academic All-America honoree in 2011. Wilson, who served as head coach until May 2013, also created and managed the UALR Tennis After School clinic.
A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Wilson was a four-year letterwinner (2003-06) in women’s tennis at the University of Nebraska Omaha. She won five individual North Central Conference (NCC) titles, including two in singles (2004 and 2006), and helped lead the Mavericks to conference championships in 2005 and 2006. Nebraska Omaha advanced to NCAA regional competition in each of her four years, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2005. Wilson concluded her career as the program’s all-time leader in winning percentage (.651). A two-year team captain (2005-06), she ranks tied for third in career doubles wins (52) and single-season victories (17 in 2004-05), while her 41 career singles wins are the fourth most in school history.
Wilson graduated from Nebraska Omaha in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minors in psychology and sociology. She earned a Master of Science in sports management from UALR in December 2007 and later completed her Doctor of Philosophy in education with a specialization in sport management and leadership at North Central University in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
A graduate of Lincoln Southeast High School, Wilson was the 2001 Nebraska state champion in doubles and a member of the 2000 Nebraska Class A State Championship team.