University of North Texas Athletics
UNT Athletics Announces Staff Updates to Leadership Team
2/2/2026 4:29:00 PM | General
Heather Jenkins Named Executive Sr. Assoc. AD for Leadership and Culture Development, McDonald Elevated to SWA
DENTON, Texas – UNT Vice President and Director of Athletics Jared Mosley has announced Heather Jenkins as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Leadership and Culture Development while also naming Senior Associate Athletic Director Stephanie McDonald the new Senior Women's Administrator (SWA) for UNT Athletics.
Jenkins, a UNT alumni from the class of 1997 and a native Texan, brings 30 years of experience in public education, including 18 years in leadership roles serving students, educators, and school communities across Texas.
"I'm excited to add Heather Jenkins to our Mean Green Family in this important role leading our leadership and culture development areas," Mosley said. "She is a values-driven leader with experience building high functioning teams which will serve our community well as we Build Champions and Prepare Leaders. I can't wait to see her impact on our student athletes and across our staff.
In her role, Jenkins will lead strategic initiatives focused on leadership development, organizational culture, and capacity building across UNT Athletics, supporting student-athletes, coaches, and staff in achieving sustainable excellence.
Throughout her career, Jenkins has been recognized as a seasoned educational leader and accomplished grant writer, known for her commitment to organizational growth, systems development, and people-centered leadership.
Before joining UNT Athletics, Jenkins held a variety of leadership positions in public education, where she guided instructional improvement, leadership development, and large-scale initiatives aimed at strengthening school culture and performance. Her experience working within complex systems has positioned her as a trusted leader in navigating change, developing talent, and aligning vision with practice.
Jenkins is proud of her family, including her children Cameron (25), Emily (23), and Reese (17), and her husband, Bryan (also a UNT alumni class of 1997) of 30 years. It is with their support that she has been able to and looks forward to continuing to serve others with commitment, love, and dedication.
McDonald, meanwhile, will take over as SWA while staying in her current role of Senior. Associate AD for Administration. She has been at North Texas since 2017 and has worked within the Mean Green athletic department since 2022.
"I'm very grateful to have Stephanie serve as our Senior Woman Administrator in addition to her duties as Senior Associate AD for Administration," Mosley said. "Her experiences at both the conference level and numerous campuses will be a great asset for us as we continue to adapt to the challenges ahead of us in intercollegiate athletics."
In her current role, McDonald provides strategic planning support, helps lead several department initiatives, serves as a liaison to several units on the UNT campus, and provides support and leadership to the day-to-day functions of the Mean Green Athletics business office. McDonald has more than 20 years of experience in serving in various higher education and college athletics administration roles and business management support functions.
Prior to her time at North Texas, McDonald served as the Associate Commissioner for Institutional Services for the Southland Conference from 2007-17. This will also be her second different institution to serve as SWA after holding the role at Stephen F. Austin from 2003-07.
McDonald has also served in roles with the Mid-American Conference, North Carolina State and Cleveland State where she started her career working in compliance in 1997.
No stranger the Denton, McDonald received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas Woman's University in 1993 and earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law in 1996.
Jenkins, a UNT alumni from the class of 1997 and a native Texan, brings 30 years of experience in public education, including 18 years in leadership roles serving students, educators, and school communities across Texas.
"I'm excited to add Heather Jenkins to our Mean Green Family in this important role leading our leadership and culture development areas," Mosley said. "She is a values-driven leader with experience building high functioning teams which will serve our community well as we Build Champions and Prepare Leaders. I can't wait to see her impact on our student athletes and across our staff.
In her role, Jenkins will lead strategic initiatives focused on leadership development, organizational culture, and capacity building across UNT Athletics, supporting student-athletes, coaches, and staff in achieving sustainable excellence.
Throughout her career, Jenkins has been recognized as a seasoned educational leader and accomplished grant writer, known for her commitment to organizational growth, systems development, and people-centered leadership.
Before joining UNT Athletics, Jenkins held a variety of leadership positions in public education, where she guided instructional improvement, leadership development, and large-scale initiatives aimed at strengthening school culture and performance. Her experience working within complex systems has positioned her as a trusted leader in navigating change, developing talent, and aligning vision with practice.
Jenkins is proud of her family, including her children Cameron (25), Emily (23), and Reese (17), and her husband, Bryan (also a UNT alumni class of 1997) of 30 years. It is with their support that she has been able to and looks forward to continuing to serve others with commitment, love, and dedication.
McDonald, meanwhile, will take over as SWA while staying in her current role of Senior. Associate AD for Administration. She has been at North Texas since 2017 and has worked within the Mean Green athletic department since 2022.
"I'm very grateful to have Stephanie serve as our Senior Woman Administrator in addition to her duties as Senior Associate AD for Administration," Mosley said. "Her experiences at both the conference level and numerous campuses will be a great asset for us as we continue to adapt to the challenges ahead of us in intercollegiate athletics."
In her current role, McDonald provides strategic planning support, helps lead several department initiatives, serves as a liaison to several units on the UNT campus, and provides support and leadership to the day-to-day functions of the Mean Green Athletics business office. McDonald has more than 20 years of experience in serving in various higher education and college athletics administration roles and business management support functions.
Prior to her time at North Texas, McDonald served as the Associate Commissioner for Institutional Services for the Southland Conference from 2007-17. This will also be her second different institution to serve as SWA after holding the role at Stephen F. Austin from 2003-07.
McDonald has also served in roles with the Mid-American Conference, North Carolina State and Cleveland State where she started her career working in compliance in 1997.
No stranger the Denton, McDonald received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas Woman's University in 1993 and earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law in 1996.
-- GMG --
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