Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tamica Smith Jones.
Hi Tamica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, attended Lithonia High School, a competitive student athlete in multi sports (basketball, track), also played in the marching band (saxophone). Family, faith and fun were values growing up in a Christian home with both parents serving the community as ministers. I learned that home was our first ministry and have continued to remind myself of that philosophy raising my 2 amazing children (Tmiyah is a smart, loving, sophomore soccer player, the daughter God knew I needed and Tmicah is a junior, majoring in criminal justice at Clark Atlanta University, a member of the 2024 championship men’s basketball team). I had a great upbringing and wrote an autobiography that shares more in detail entitled “A Ball and a Dream.” Playing competitive sports, having parents invest in “the total me,” affording me the opportunity to travel the world with them and ensuring that I had the love, support, education, experiences and confidence needed to become all God had predestined for me was invaluable. I competed on travel basketball teams, i.e. The Atlanta Metros AAU, which prepared me for my collegiate journey as a full scholarship athlete, playing Division I basketball at Troy University in Alabama, before transferring and graduating from My HBCU, Alabama A&M University with a bachelor’s in business management. I participated in both basketball and cross-country at AAMU and was introduced to coaching by my Coach who asked me to consider a Graduate Assistant role for Women’s Basketball at Savannah State University, where I earned a master’s degree in public administration. I was recruited home to Morris Brown College for a full-time job as an Assistant Coach, and my curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to learning advanced me into opportunities that allowed me to be at the table as a key decision-maker. I was promoted to Head Coach and then associate athletics director roles. When MBC lost its accreditation, I had to figure it out. For the first time I learned what it was to use my employee benefits, visiting the unemployment office. Fortunately, I was asked to join the Clark Atlanta University athletics department as senior associate and head coach a few months afterwards. It was the same drive to work, same exit in the Atlanta University Center and similar role. As a coach at Clark Atlanta University, I was named coach of the year and later had an opportunity to serve in the director of athletics role. Serving as Athletics Director for Clark Atlanta University (Division II) from 2008-2013, leading the Panthers to seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championships, including the first men’s basketball title in 46 years and first-ever women’s cross country and volleyball crowns were great accomplishments. However, it was the rich history, passion for student athlete and staff development and spirit of excellence to “find a way or make one” that I treasure most. I got an opportunity to hire, mentor and inspire hundreds which is a credit to working with a great team and under dynamic presidential leadership. Very proud of my time there and still feel very connected with my son being a thriving student athlete. I consider my first born attending CAU, my gift back. There came a time in my tenure at CAU where I felt like I had hit a ceiling, could learn and do more, so took a step of faith after being recruited to University of Texas San Antonio. I remember having that conversation with my mother, who didn’t understand why I would leave my then-good job for another one out of the state. Knowing little about UTSA’s campus, culture or leadership team, it was one of the best career decisions made and affirmed intercollegiate competency, work ethic and abilities in the industry. At UTSA, she served as Senior Associate AD for Internal Affairs, Senior Woman Administrator from 2013-2015 and the Chief Diversity, Inclusion & Outreach Officer. She also served as the department lead for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student-Athlete Well-Being, and Career and Life Skills programming. After getting a call from UC Riverside, I took a visit and fell in love with the people, campus, and rich history of the southern california city. It was the hometown of Cheryl Miller, one of my favorite women’s basketball players and Dusty Baker, an MLB legend, both I would get an opportunity to meet and now call on as a resource. I accepted the opportunity to oversee a Division I program that was underperforming and needed a consistent leader who would align with new presidential leadership. I was the first black woman athletics director hired in the state of California at that time, but grateful to report not the last. It was important that I did great work and did it the right way to ensure others would get an opportunity. No matter the hurdles, I took great pride in being an illustration of hope. During my tenure, we celebrated the department’s winningest academic year in Division I history, leading the Highlanders to their highest finish in the Big West Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings. Also spearheaded successful fundraising goals as part of the university’s first comprehensive capital campaign, “Living the Promise.” In inaugural year with the program, UC Riverside captured two Big West Conference Championships and the program’s first DI National Championship, an individual performance at the 2016 NCAA Track & Field Championship. We led the way on a wide range of strategic initiatives and important issues impacting today’s student-athletes, including advocating for social justice and an increased focus on mental health and wellness. A bitter but sweet moment was during the pandemic deciding that I would return back home to Georgia as my son was headed to Clark Atlanta, and California was hit hard operationally. But the sweet part was being able to leave UC Riverside with a capable leader who I had hired to help train and coach in areas outside of his skill sets in his pursuit to one day be an athletics director. He became the next athletics director as the first African American male in the role. What I hope the industry would see is that we are capable of leading at all levels just need the right fit and opportunity.
I feel so blessed for the journey and fortunate to have made my way back home to Kennesaw State University with over 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics. Feb. 1, 2021, I was named the first Athletics Chief Operating Officer and Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee. I am fortunate to team up with an innovative supervisor and thriving, collaborative campus to build an amazing team of professionals and take the program to the next level. I oversee the internal day-to-day operations of the department and strategic planning initiatives, departmental policies, game operations, budgets, scheduling, facilities, and capital projects. I was asked to take the lead on our FBS Application to move our teams up a level in division one competition, from FCS to FBS effective July 1, 2024. Although a broad role, serving as the program administrator for men’s and women’s basketball, softball, and women’s soccer keep me closely connected to the student athletes and coaches, which is my heartwork.
While serving as program administrator for both women’s and men’s basketball, one of her first major tasks was leading the process of hiring Octavia Blue as the head women’s basketball coach in April 2021. Women’s basketball saw its first home-winning season and conference-winning season in nearly a decade in 2022-23. A more inclusive and exciting game day atmosphere, improved attendance and ticket sales for the sport have been evident. Also, as part of the recruitment strategy top talent from the state are deciding to stay or return home to attend and compete at KSU.
Jones also helped bring Alabama’s Antoine Pettway to the Black and Gold as KSU’s new head men’s basketball coach a month after Owls shattered almost every D1 record en route to their first conference title in school’s division one history and appearance in March Madness under the leadership of former coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.
Jones brought forward an annual fundraising tool for coaches to the Athletics Department that branched campus-wide, called KSU Raise, which has supported programs to raise significant resources to support student-athletes and staff. It has made special projects possible such as foreign tours. She is also responsible for human resource and performance tools as the lead executive coach for all hiring and personal development. As part of the program’s accelerated growth she developed and introduced a Growth Plan Assessment Tool to support staff and internal promotional opportunities.
KSU continues to reach championship-level success on and off the field in all 18 sports, whereas Jones serves as senior administrator and chief liaison to support Executive Staff and Program Administrators guiding respective programs. The Owls are involved in over 1,000 hours of community service, giving back to the Kennesaw, Cobb, and North Georgia communities, and recognized as leaders on campus.
Jones served a five-year term on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Sport Committee and the Women Leaders in College Sports Board and Foundation Sub-Committee. Jones is one of the founding members of the executive board for the newly formed Black Athletics Directors Alliance and Chair of the Race and Social Justice Taskforce.
Jones has emceed the 2022 and 2023 at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum where in addition to serving as a presenting speaker, she has guided over 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports. Also serve as a Guest Speaker and Capstone Advisor for Kennesaw State and Georgetown University Sports Management Programs, respectively.
“This is my gift back to the industry by teaching, developing, and inspiring rising stars,” said Jones.
She was selected to attend the 2023 LEAD1 Association Institute, the 23rd annual conference that has served as one of college sport’s premier leadership development programs designed to help senior athletics administrators prepare to become the next generation of athletic directors. Jones was also chosen to moderate at the 2023 NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute: The Search Process for Coaches in Orlando.
In 2017, she was named the Women Leaders in College Sports Division I Administrator of the Year, awarded the 61st Assembly District Woman of Distinction Award by California State Assembly member Jose Medina, and recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Los Angeles. In June 2022, Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx featured her in their Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports series.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been blessed and learned early that obstacles are largely defined by how you respond. When I think about my life’s obstacles and challenges, I think of pivotal moments where I have had to make transformative decisions that would impact my life and those who look to me. I am a woman of faith and truly believe that all things work together for my good. They always have so believe they always will if I keep God first. It may not always look good or feel good, but because I trust God with my life, I know that it will push me up the path to my destiny if I do not quit or stop. With that, here have been a few struggles along the way:
– parents divorcing and growing up in a blended family
– making my college decision
– transfer decision as a sophomore student-athlete
– deciding to take the offer to go to graduate school and learn more about collegiate sports
– having a significant role at Morris Brown College and the college losing its accreditation, leaving me unemployed
– losing my father the day I was offered position to serve as the director of athletics for the first time, a dream come true and a nightmare at the same time
– decision to leave my hometown for a new career and life for me and my family
– being mischaracterized as a minority leader and navigating discrimination, micro-aggressive and unprofessional behaviors
– leading during the pandemic
– considering changing career to professional sports
– raising teens and coparenting
-continuing to perform at a high level while taking care of my wholistic health, loving on my family in the way they need me, and serving my organizations as a senior executive, which combined, all fulfill my purpose and drive in life
– being an illustration of hope
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
A family business owner for years simply sharing the knowledge that I have learned across my career with others who are referred to me or come in my sphere, focus on college preparation as an athletic administrator, career readiness, financial freedom, organization efficiencies as Chief Operating Officer and navigating every space courageously.
What I do here at KSU as Chief Operating Officer is more about advancing the people, culture, processes and priorities of the organization and outlined well in a recent article in “Significance in Athletics & Sports Magazine” Spring 2024 Edition. It is a complex role and responsibility that I take seriously. It is important that I am in the know of a lot of matters but oftentime I have to inquire to get the intel. However, as an executive professional, I am thoughtful not to exert my authority beyond what is necessary for our team to perform at a high level and make every effort to celebrate their success. It is a balancing act trying to just provide insight where I see it is needed, not micromanage but ensure I am accessible and visible for those seeking advice or support. It is important that my feedback is positive and constructive although many times any direct assessment can be taken critical. Nonetheless, leaders know we have to communicate and ensure that the standard of expectation is upheld. Since I have either held a position or have had oversight of many of the roles in athletics I am always willing to fill gaps to support our coaches and staff.
I am most proud of being a person and not a position. Life for me has been a balancing act and fully integrated with work. However, I always remind myself that parenting has to be my best work. But I also have some of my proudest moments when I can provide my knowledge, expertise and network to aspiring student athletes, coaches, staff and administrators. I love to hear stories when my peers and colleagues speak highly of me in rooms I am not in because I have helped them in some way and in return they become champions for me, acknowledging my work and impact on the industry. I have coached, mentored, encouraged, inspired and sponsored thousands in my career. Hearing the stories never get old and affirms that my light is shining!
What sets me apart is my self care routine, strategic vision, entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit and commitment to share my gifts and network to connect with others in a way that brings value and sets everyone up for more meaningful work and mission driven success.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am not afraid to take calculated risks – I have got better at assessing as I have matured. If you go back to the obstacles and challenges above mentioned, much of it was about taking risks and new opportunities. By the grace of God all the risk I have taken has turned out well. High risk that goes well is a high reward. Any new pathway comes with the thought of risk, so I have learned how to weigh it, and then there is an element of faith for me that is in the final decision-making. I typically consult with my mom and am grateful for her corporate, godly and parental journey and walking closely with me in mine. I am also very grateful for every supervisor who has trusted me and allowed me to have a safe space to learn and grow which always comes with missteps and mistakes. But ultimately, I inquire with God, wanting to make sure that every move I make is a part of the predestined plan and a part of God’s will for my life. I believe that leaders are risk takers by definition, guiding a team or organization through change is often with no guarantee of success, but through thoughtful strategy, are intrigued by the possibility and trust that the outcome will not just be good, maybe better, if not the very best to date.
In my role as chief operating officer, I have a leadership style and personality that is an innate instinct of curiosity, courage, open to accepting new ideas, and staying ready to act and call audibles when needed. I have been fortunate to gain knowledge and insight from my colleagues at the highest levels working directly with presidents, deans, faculty, trustees, vice presidents, chief financial officers, human resource and legal professionals, etc. In addition, I have found great value serving on local and national boards such as KSUAA, Women Leaders In College Sports, Light of the World, JLS Community Center and HBCU Elite.
Every new career opportunity has been because I have heightened expectations, been incredibly curious, challenged myself and feel more comfortable with learning something new. The risk is always in the next bold move and I have made a few that continue to show me God’s plan and faithfulness to those who diligently seek Him. My favorite scripture is Phillipians 1:6 “I am certain that God, who began the good work within me, will continue the work until it is finished.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tjsports23
- Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/tamica-smith- jones-she-her-90094433/ - Twitter: tjsports23
- linktr.ee/TamicaSmithJones
- Facebook: TJ Jones
