Tanya first came to GW in 1992 as a student-athlete on the women’s soccer team. After redshirting as a first-year student, she played for four years, earning an Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year Award and three Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team Awards. In 1999, Tanya was named head coach of GW women’s soccer. She served 12 seasons as coach, becoming the program’s all-time leader in wins before she transitioned to more senior administrative roles in athletics. In 2002, Tanya became the first women’s soccer player inducted into the GW Athletic Hall of Fame.
Along the way, Tanya earned a bachelor's and master's degree in exercise and sports science from GW and completed her M.B.A. at GW in 2006.
With her experience as a student-athlete, head coach, and university administrator, Tanya has seen intercollegiate athletics from every vantage point and was the perfect person to assume the role of the university’s director of athletics and recreation in 2018. She is now one of two female athletics directors currently serving in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
“When I look back on what GW did for me, in large part, it helped me find my courage to become the best version of myself,” said Tanya. “I see my role as athletics director to help young people find their courage. Here at GW, we work with students and individuals from all over the world. Between 27 different sports programs and facilities in different places around the city, this is a vibrant, energetic, magical place to discover who you are and become your best.”
As an alumna, donor, and former student-athlete, Tanya understands firsthand how philanthropic support and engagement from GW alumni and the community supports the success of GW student-athletes. Scholarship and programming support for student-athletes allows the university to attract and retain the best talent regardless of their families’ ability to afford a college education.
“Right now, we’re working on developing an athlete ambassador program, giving student-athletes an opportunity to study abroad for two to three weeks without missing months of training,” said Tanya. “This is a creative way to help athletes get a global experience while remaining committed to their sport.”
Tanya is also committed to building new support for athletics scholarships, which will provide even more student-athletes with the opportunity to study and compete athletically at the George Washington University regardless of their financial resources. Philanthropy from alumni and friends is a critical component of building, sustaining, and growing GW’s athletic programs, changing the lives and futures of every student beneficiary.
“I believe in these students,” said Tanya. “This is an awesome group of athletes who are pursuing excellence in everything they do. I can’t think of a better group of young people to invest in.”