UMass Lowell Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services Kristi Stake announced, Tuesday afternoon, the hiring of Michael Anderson and Lauren Trapasso as Coordinators of Athletic Academic Services.
 
"I am thrilled to have both Michael and Lauren joining the student services staff," said Stake. "They both come from Division I athletic programs with a strong commitment to the academic and leadership areas, and they bring unique components of the student services world into the picture."
 
UMass Lowell is coming off its most successful academic year.  River Hawk student-athletes posted a 3.01 GPA during the 2013-14 academic year, the highest mark ever posted by the department.
                               
The additions of Anderson and Trapasso come at a time when the department is growing rapidly, adding men's and women's lacrosse, as part of the four year transition into Division I.
 
Anderson joins UMass Lowell after working as an Athletic Academic Counselor for three years at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He was responsible for identifying and addressing the academic needs of about 130 student-athletes. Anderson has also served in the office of student-athlete support services at Canisius College where he also earned his Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration in 2011.
 
"This is an exciting time to be at UMass Lowell with the amazing growth of campus, the transition of athletics from Division II to Division I, and the academic and athletic success that has happened over the past few years," said Anderson. "I look forward to working with Mrs. Stake and the rest of the athletic staff to build on the previous academic success and continue to challenge our student-athletes to compete at the highest level in all aspects of their life."
 
Trapasso joins the UMass Lowell staff after working as a Graduate Assistant and Developmental Instruction and Disability Services assistant at Boston College. In addition, she served as a Peer Advisor Coordinator at the BC Carroll School of Management. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Applied Developmental Education Psychology from the BC Lynch School of Education this past May.
 
Trapasso earned a Dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Philosophy and received Magna Cum Laude honors from Assumption College in 2011.
 
"I am excited to continue the tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics by joining River Hawk Nation," said Trapasso. "I am so grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to begin my journey as a River Hawk and be a part of the athletics family."
 
"The enthusiasm and passion surrounding both Michael and Lauren is electrifying," said Stake. "I truly believe our student-athletes are going to love working with them and will grow under their guidance to become dynamic leaders for the future."