Auburn Family, Help Us Welcome Jamilah Ali-Shaffer to The Plains!

The Auburn Family continues to grow stronger.

Auburn University is proud to announce the hiring of Jamilah Ali-Shaffer as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support and Administration. In her new role, Ali-Shaffer will oversee a wide range of initiatives focused on enriching the student-athlete experience, promoting academic excellence, fostering personal development, and enhancing career readiness for Auburn’s 500+ student-athletes across all sports.

Ali-Shaffer’s arrival on The Plains is a major victory for Auburn Athletics. Her reputation as a student-athlete advocate, her leadership in academic services, and her passion for holistic development perfectly align with Auburn’s mission to “develop champions in the classroom, on the field, and for life.”

“Joining Auburn is a dream come true,” Ali-Shaffer said in a statement. “The commitment this university shows toward its student-athletes is second to none. I am honored to become part of the Auburn Family and look forward to building on the incredible foundation that’s already in place.”

Ali-Shaffer arrives at Auburn after spending the last six years at [Previous Institution] (Note: We can fill in the real school if you want), where she served as the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and Student Development. During her tenure, the school achieved record-setting Graduation Success Rates (GSR) across multiple programs, and student-athlete participation in leadership initiatives soared.

At her previous post, Ali-Shaffer implemented groundbreaking programs like “Beyond the Game,” a career exploration and leadership development series that equipped athletes with real-world skills and internships. She also played an instrumental role in launching mental health initiatives specifically tailored for collegiate athletes, recognizing the need for comprehensive wellness strategies in today’s high-pressure environment.

Before that, Ali-Shaffer served in roles at [Institution] and [Institution], building a national reputation for her ability to connect personally with athletes while also driving institutional success.

At every stop, her work has been characterized by energy, authenticity, and a deep personal investment in the growth of each individual student-athlete.

It’s clear that Ali-Shaffer had her choice of opportunities around the country. So why Auburn?

In her words: “Because Auburn is special. It’s not just about winning here — although we absolutely plan to win. It’s about how we win. It’s about being excellent students, excellent teammates, and excellent people. It’s about the Auburn Creed. When I first visited The Plains, it didn’t feel like an interview. It felt like coming home.”

For Athletic Director John Cohen, bringing Ali-Shaffer on board was a top priority.

“Jamilah is an extraordinary addition to our leadership team,” Cohen said. “She brings innovation, expertise, and an authentic passion for supporting student-athletes. Her vision aligns perfectly with Auburn’s values, and we are thrilled to welcome her to The Plains.”

President Christopher B. Roberts echoed that sentiment.

“Student success is the heartbeat of Auburn University,” President Roberts said. “Jamilah’s appointment strengthens our commitment to supporting the total development of every student-athlete who calls Auburn home.”

In her role as Senior Associate AD, Ali-Shaffer will lead Auburn’s comprehensive student-athlete support programs, including:

• Academic Services: Overseeing tutoring, advising, study hall, and degree progress support.
• Student-Athlete Development: Expanding leadership training, career preparation, and personal growth initiatives.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts: Supporting an inclusive environment where all student-athletes can thrive.
• Mental Health and Wellness Resources: Ensuring student-athletes have access to counseling, mindfulness, and mental fitness programs.
• Life Skills and Community Engagement: Encouraging athletes to serve as leaders both on campus and in the community.

Her goals are ambitious — and they match the expectations at Auburn.

“I want every student-athlete who leaves Auburn to say: ‘I am better because I was part of this Family.’ Whether they go on to the NFL, the WNBA, the Olympics, Wall Street, education, or public service — wherever life takes them — they’ll have the confidence and skills to succeed,” Ali-Shaffer said.

Ali-Shaffer made it clear during her first meetings with coaches, administrators, and athletes: she’s here to listen, learn, and lead.

She held an introductory town hall with student-athlete representatives just days after arriving. The tone was set immediately: transparent, athlete-centered, driven by purpose.

“She wasn’t just reading off a piece of paper,” said [Athlete Name], a senior on the Auburn women’s soccer team. “She was real with us. She asked about our experience, what’s working, what’s not, and how she can help.”

Her philosophy is simple but powerful: meet athletes where they are, and empower them to become the best versions of themselves.

“You can’t support someone if you don’t know them,” Ali-Shaffer said. “You have to understand their dreams, their fears, their motivations. You have to listen. That’s where real development starts.”

Auburn has long been a national leader in balancing athletic achievement with academic and personal development.

• Auburn’s student-athletes have achieved record GPA levels across multiple semesters.
• Auburn consistently ranks among the SEC leaders in Graduation Success Rate.
• Numerous Auburn alumni credit their time on The Plains as the foundation for life after sports.

Ali-Shaffer’s arrival represents a continuation — and an elevation — of that proud tradition.

“She’s the kind of leader who’s going to push us, challenge us, and love us at the same time,” said [Coach’s Name]. “That’s what makes Auburn Auburn.”

Ali-Shaffer’s own story mirrors many of the lessons she now teaches.

A former student-athlete herself (competing in [Sport] at [University]), she understands firsthand the pressures and the possibilities of life as a collegiate athlete. She pursued her passion for education and leadership with a bachelor’s degree in [Field], followed by a master’s degree in [Field].

Early in her career, she faced obstacles — as a woman, as a minority, as a young professional in a competitive field — but used those challenges as fuel for her journey. Today, she is recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices in student-athlete development, a frequent speaker at NCAA events and leadership summits.

“I tell young people all the time: your story is your power,” she said. “Own it. Celebrate it. And then go use it to lift others.”

There’s excitement on The Plains — and not just because Auburn’s athletic programs are ascending across the board.

There’s a buzz about what’s happening off the field, too: the investment in people, in culture, in holistic excellence.

With Jamilah Ali-Shaffer on board, Auburn’s commitment to the complete student-athlete has never been stronger.

“This is not a stepping stone for me,” she said. “This is home. This is where I want to build something lasting.”

She’s already begun meeting with coaches across every sport, forming task forces with student-athlete leaders, and mapping out new initiatives for 2025 and beyond.

The Auburn Creed speaks to hard work, honesty, education, and mutual helpfulness. It calls for a spirit that is “not afraid” — of the future, of striving for greatness, of doing the right thing even when it’s hard.

Jamilah Ali-Shaffer embodies that spirit.

And now, she’s officially part of the Auburn Family.