The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has named Shaquana Miller as its new director of athletics, bringing more than a decade of NCAA administrative and coaching leadership to the role. Miller began her position on Sept. 15, and will oversee athletics administration, NAIA (conference) compliance, fundraising, external engagement and student-athlete development for the University.
"We are excited to welcome Ms. Miller to UVI and to our Buccaneer family," said Dr. Pamela Moolenaar Wirsiy, vice president for Student Success and Innovation. "She brings a valuable combination of administrative leadership, coaching experience and a deep understanding of the student-athlete experience. Her commitment to developing the whole student aligns strongly with our focus on student success."
Miller joins UVI from Anderson University, where she served as assistant athletic director for student-athlete services providing academic oversight and advising for 570 student-athletes while partnering with athletics and university leadership on NCAA eligibility, academic progress, retention, and graduation initiatives. During her time at Anderson, Miller led the Trojan Playbook, a department-wide initiative focused on student-athlete engagement and leadership development and helped lead a $1.5 million strategic mental health initiative expanding support systems for student-athlete well-being.
Before Anderson, Miller was assistant athletics director of compliance and student-athlete success, and senior woman administrator, at Albany State University. There she provided senior leadership and sport supervision for eight NCAA programs, oversaw more than 25 coaches and athletics staff, and managed over $1 million in foundation and scholarship resources.
Earlier in her career, Miller served as a volleyball coach and trainer in Japan, where she trained high school and college-aged student-athletes. In addition to her training of student-athletes, Miller created a Special Olympics program in Japan consisting of Japanese and American citizens with and without intellectual disabilities who played in the largest unified sporting event to date in the Asia-Pacific region.
A former collegiate student-athlete, Miller was a standout volleyball player at Fayetteville State University, where she co-captained the 2007 CIAA championship team and earned multiple All-CIAA honors. Her athletic accomplishments later earned her induction into the Fayetteville State University Sports Hall of Fame. Miller has continued to distinguish herself professionally through several NCAA and national leadership development programs, including the 2026 NCAA Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. She was also named a 2024 Albany 40 Under 40 honoree. She holds a bachelor's degree from Fayetteville State University and a Master of Professional Studies in sports management from Georgetown University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in sport and athletic leadership at North Central University.
"I am honored and excited to join the University of the Virgin Islands and become part of the Buccaneer community," Miller said. "Athletics has tremendous power to shape the student experience, build community and develop young people for success well beyond competition. I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, University leadership, alumni and supporters to build on UVI Athletics' foundation."
UVI President Dr. Safiya George also welcomed Miller to the University. “I am delighted to welcome Ms. Miller to UVI and look forward to the leadership, experience and commitment to student-athlete success she brings to our Athletics program,” George said. “I also extend my sincere gratitude to Shaquille Richardson and Donna Andrews for taking on additional responsibilities during this transition. Their leadership ensured continuity for our student-athletes, coaches and programs and exemplified the teamwork and commitment that are so important to our University community.”
With Miller's arrival, UVI Athletics begins a new chapter focused on student-athlete success, program growth and expanded connections across the University and the broader Virgin Islands community.
For more information on UVI Athletics, visit uvi.edu/athletics.
