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New Leaders for Athletics and Student Activities

Over the summer, new leaders stepped into place to oversee Athletics and Student Activities at the College.

In July, Bryn Athyn College welcomed Matthew Kennedy as its new full-time Athletic Director. Matthew is taking over for Shawn Synnestvedt, who oversaw the College's athletic program for two years on a part-time basis. Matthew will be working to build and expand the College's athletic programs.

For the past eight years, Matthew has been Assistant Athletic Director at Neumann University. He played a key role there in growing the number of varsity sports on campus, led a re-branding and marketing initiative, developed a sports management internship program, and created an academic monitoring program for student athletes. He also created "The Positive Play Cup," an annual community service competition between the varsity sports teams at Neumann.

Brian Henderson, Dean of Student Affairs, says Matthew's experience in athletic planning, recruitment and retention of athletes, management of a large coaching staff, and NCAA Division III athletics “will be crucial in our efforts to grow athletics as a valuable part of our students' educational experience.”

Stepping into the role of Director of Student Activities this August is Spring Silverman. Spring's background is in sports and recreation management, coaching and personal training, and leadership.

Her background includes four years as a lacrosse starter and senior captain for Springfield College, two years as facilitator of Springfield College’s Leadership Training Conference for student leaders and two years as Co-Director of Tools4Life Summer Camp, which takes place on the Bryn Athyn College campus each summer. In this role she has already worked with Bryn Athyn College faculty and staff to provide meaningful and engaging educational activities for high school and college age students.

As Director of Student Activities, Spring will be responsible for overseeing, leading, and coordinating all student activities. She will work with students to organize and run social events, facilitate the activities of student organizations, and mentor and develop student leaders. She will also play a role in the first-year experience program by coordinating social and recreational activities for first-year students.