The 2017-2018 year is the first for Jess Fankhauser as TU's Assistant Athletics Director, after starting her tenure on June 19.

Fankhauser joined Taylor Athletics after having served in a multitude of roles around campus since graduating from TU in 2010. Most recently, Fankauser had served within Taylor’s Career and Calling Office for four years.

In addition to her work within the TU Career and Calling Office, Fankauser also served as an assistant coach on the Taylor softball team and as an assistant residence hall director. Fankhauser earned a master’s degree in higher education and student development in 2012, a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010 and was one of TU’s most heralded pitchers on the diamond during her time at Taylor.

During the past four years within the Career and Calling Office, Fankhauser held titles of Assistant Director, Director and Director of Vocation Formation, while excelling in data assessment, career counseling and program implementation. Fankhauser also worked with Spring Break Missions in international trip development training and taught or presented in over 25 courses.

Fankauser’s work within Student Development has also included Title IX training, serving as one of University investigators and working on the Student Development Leadership Team.

Fankauser has been heralded at nearly every stop of her career, including for her work as a graduate student. Fankhauser’s honors included the TU Department of Higher Education and Student Development Distinguished Thesis of the Year and TU Graduate School Thesis of the Year awards in 2012.

On the field, Fankauser still boasts the lowest single-season earned-run average in Taylor program history with a 1.60 ERA during the 2007 campaign. Fankhauser also ranks fourth in program history with 334 strikeouts and fifth with 397 innings pitched in the circle for the Trojans.