WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, Etienne Thomas has announced the following staff hiring and promotions to the department.

"I am excited about the team of coaches and staff I have the privilege of serving with each day," said Director of Athletics, Etienne Thomas. "I am thankful to each of the promoted and newly hired team members for accepting the call to step out of their comfort zones, reach for those stretch goals and agreeing to partner with their colleagues and in protecting the legacy of Graduating Champions at Winston-Salem State University."

Charolette Hunt has been named the new Associate Athletic Director for Compliance. Hunt joined the Rams in September of 2022 after her latest stint with Texas Women University (TWU) as their department of Compliance and Academics Services Coordinator and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for 13 years. Prior to TWU she was at Conference USA. 

Sonya Hurt has been named the Senior Associate Director for Administration/Senior Woman Administrator after serving as the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services since 2019. Prior to WSSU, Hurt spent 16 years at Rider University where she served as the coordinator of academic services for athletics.

April Reid has been named the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations & Equipment after spending seven years as the Equipment Manger and Game Day Operations Coordinator. Reid who is an alumnus of WSSU joined the department in the fall of 2015. She is tasked with managing all athletics facilities upkeep and the ordering and issuing of equipment to all the athletic teams at Winston-Salem State. This includes managing the procurement, maintenance, and repair of all WSSU athletics equipment and apparel. She also is the lead for logistics and management of all game day and athletic events held by the WSSU athletic department.

Karen Dunlap has been named the Director of Athletics of Business & Finance after being with the department for 14 years. She previously was the Executive Assistant to Athletics for Budget Management. She will continue to serve as the executive assistant for athletics in charge of budget management where she will provide additional administrative support to the department.

Angela Daniels has been named the Director of Community Engagement & Donor Relations after spending five years as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics. Daniels in her new role will help with the connecting of new partnerships in the community as well as engaging with the current parents. She also will be a liaison between the department and HORN$ members.

Tiffany Massey has been named the Interim Head Softball Coach. She joined the Rams in the fall of 2018 and helped coach the 2018-2019 team to their ninth CIAA Championship. They also made history as the first CIAA school to win a NCAA regional game during NCAA regional play.

Charles Penny, II has been named the Assistant Marketing Coordinator to go along with his Head Men's Golf Coach duties.

                  
Charolette Hunt     Sonya Hurt          April Reid             Karen Dunlap         Angela Daniels   Tiffany Massey    Charles Penny, II