Kelli Skodinski enters her first year as Director of Athletic Development.

Among her duties at JU, Skodinski will oversee all components of the Jacksonville University Athletic Association (JUAA) including communication with board members, cultivation of new donors, planning JUAA events at athletic contests and developing marketing materials for the JUAA.

"Kelli brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to our fundraising vision," Verlander said. "Her passion for helping student-athletes will help guide our development efforts. I am excited to see her shine in this role."

Prior to JU, Skodinski spent two years as a coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Associate District in Jacksonville. She began her career with the MDA as a Regional Public Affairs Coordinator and was responsible for coordinating media relations for the Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee markets. She was also in charge of assisting with various fundraising raising events, received more than 40 city/county proclamations each summer and worked intimately with patients and their families.

In between her stint as Regional Public Affairs Coordinator, Skodinski served as an Account Coordinator for Cardinal Communications in Muncie, Ind. Her duties included working to develop new business correspondence packages for clients, assisting clients with identity enhancement, event planning for the Indiana Public Relations Conference and co-writing a white paper for the 2006 IPRC publication.

After her return to the First Coast and MDA, Skodinski was promoted to Program Coordinator and was in charge of building and maintaining relationships with various sponsors and donors, contributing to assorted aspects of local fundraising and establishing a range of district and personal program goals.

A native of Crawfordsville, Ind., Skodinski earned her bachelor's degree in public relations with a minor in sports studies at the Ball State in 2006.