ITHACA, N.Y. – After a national search, Ithaca College has selected Aaron Bouyea to serve as the next Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation. Bouyea comes to South Hill after spending the past eight years as the Director of Athletics at Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester, N.Y. The announcement of Bouyea's appointment at Ithaca College—which will begin July 1—was made today by Stanley Bazile, Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life.

"It is with profound enthusiasm that I welcome Aaron Bouyea to Ithaca College," said Bazile. "His dynamic leadership, visionary spirit, and deep understanding of the student-athlete experience embody exactly what this moment in our college's journey requires."

"We are excited that Aaron will be bringing his wealth of experience along with a strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence to Ithaca," said Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish. "Monroe Community College has a lengthy history of national success in athletics, with a well-rounded program that puts the character of its student-athletes and coaches at the top of its list of priorities. Aaron has been a big part of that success over the past eight years."

During his time at Monroe, Bouyea oversaw the rebrand of MCC Athletics with apparel and marketing partnerships and numerous facility enhancements, which included a nearly $2 million softball complex. Bouyea most recently launched a "refueling station" this past January that focuses on student-athlete health and wellness.

Monroe fields a competitive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) program, which features 14 teams, and has won two national championships, three individual national champions, and more than 20 regional titles since Bouyea took over as Director of Athletics.

"I'm incredibly honored to serve as the next Director of Athletics at Ithaca College," said Bouyea. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to President Cornish, her leadership team, the search committee—especially co-chairs Dr. Stanley Bazile and Dr. Margaret Shackell—and the entire Ithaca community for the warm welcome and thoughtful conversations throughout the search process.

"It's a true privilege to join the Ithaca family and begin this exciting new chapter on South Hill," continued Bouyea. "I have deep respect for the remarkable foundation Susan Bassett has laid—her leadership and commitment to excellence have left an enduring mark. I'm eager to build on that legacy, champion our student-athletes, elevate our programs, and help lead one of the nation's premier Division III athletics departments into the future."

Susan Bassett '79 had announced in February that she planned to retire at the end of this academic year after a 45-year career in intercollegiate athletics—the past 12 as director of athletics at her alma mater.

Bouyea is no stranger to Division III athletics as he previously served as the Associate Director of Athletics at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass., from 2012-17. Outside of his sport administration duties at Lesley, he worked in compliance and recruiting, game and facility scheduling, academic monitoring, as well as game day and fitness center manager. He also was the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three seasons.

Before he moved to Lesley, Bouyea worked at Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., from 2008-12 as the Assistant Athletics Director and Advancement Associate. He was also an assistant softball coach during his time with the Express.

A former Division III student-athlete himself, Bouyea played baseball at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in sport management. From there, he earned a master's degree in sport management from SUNY Cortland in 2011. He's currently working towards his Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, with an expected completion in 2027.

Bouyea is a native of Lewiston, Maine.