Julie Soriero is new department head and director of athletics

Julie Soriero, director of athletics at Colorado College, has been named MIT’s new department head and director of athletics, physical education and recreation, Dean Larry G. Benedict has announced. Soriero will join MIT as an associate professor on July 1, though she will likely visit campus this spring as part of preparing for her new role.

In making the announcement, Benedict said, “We are thrilled that Julie will be joining us as our new athletic director and department head. She brings a depth and breadth of experience balancing Division I and Division III programs, as well as values that are exceptionally aligned with those of MIT.”

Soriero comes to MIT after having served at Colorado College for nine years, most recently as director of athletics. Prior to her appointment as director, she served Colorado College as the interim director of athletics concurrently with various other roles such as head women’s basketball coach, director of events, senior women’s administrator and senior associate athletic director. In addition, she previously has held leadership positions at Philadelphia University as head women’s basketball coach and associate director of athletics and at the University of Pennsylvania as head women’s basketball coach.

“Julie has an obvious love of athletics and is very student-focused,” said Laura Capone, senior associate dean for student life and chair of the search committee. “Her enthusiasm is infectious and it was clear that she is one who constantly strives for excellence for herself and for students.”

According to Benedict, Soriero brings to MIT experience leading a Division III institution with strong Division I and Division III programs, as well as comprehensive club and intramural programs. She comes with outstanding accomplishments in the areas of alumni relations and fundraising, while managing a large operating budget and organizing and defining the scope of a new building. Soriero also saw several of Colorado College’s teams excel and be represented in NCAA tournaments, often in consecutive years.

Soriero began her career in athletics after receiving her S.B. degree in health and physical education from Pennsylvania State University and her Ed.M. degree in sports psychology from Temple University.

Soriero has received multiple honors and awards. She is currently serving on the board of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators and the executive board of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Among her other accomplishments, she was elected to the executive committee of the Association of Division III Independent Institutions, nominated for the “Sportswoman of Colorado” award, named one of Philadelphia’s 40 Defining Women, recognized as the Women’s Sports Foundation “All-American Coach,” and named Coach of the Year multiple times.