LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner has announced the hiring of Christine Smith as the Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student-Athlete Services.

"Christine's background as a student-athlete combined with her broad experiences in the area of student-athlete development made her the ideal candidate to join our leadership team," said Skinner. "We are confident that she will connect well with our students and university staff, and we welcome her to the River Hawk family."

Smith comes to UMass Lowell after serving as the associate athletics director for compliance and academic support at Lindenwood University from March 2010. While there, she oversaw compliance and academic support for 27 sports, served as sport supervisor to men's and women's swimming, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis and field hockey. Smith also served on the MIAA Basketball Committee.

"I want to thank Sandie and the search committee for their confidence and this great opportunity to work with student-athletes and coaches," said Smith. "The staff, coaches and student-athletes I met with were all engaged and excited about the future of UMass Lowell Athletics. With impressive leadership throughout athletics and the rest of the university, UMass Lowell is truly rising, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

The Palm Beach Atlantic University graduate also worked at Texas A&M International University from 2007-09, serving as the associate director of compliance/senior woman administrator. She also oversaw compliance and served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor.

Smith earned her bachelor's of science degree in sport management from Palm Beach, later receiving her master's of business administration from Texas A&M International University.