SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word Athletic Director Richard Duran has announced the promotion of DaShena Stevens to Associate Athletic Director.
Stevens has been at UIW since December of 2020 as the Assistant Athletic Director of Business and Finance. Stevens also served as the sport administrator for UIW's fencing and spirit programs.

"I am so thankful for DaShena's time on the UIW team," Duran said. "The impact she has made, not only in Athletics, but also in establishing relationships with our campus partners, is invaluable. We have become a higher functioning department because of her efforts. This promotion not only recognizes her hard work, but it will allow her to have an even greater impact with the added responsibilities."

In her new role Stevens will manage athletic financial services, facilities, and game/event operations. She will serve as the department's liaison to the University Human Resources, IT, facilities, and financial services departments.

"I want to thank Richard Duran and the University's leadership for this opportunity," said Stevens. "I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Cardinal family. As I continue to serve our department in this leadership capacity, I look forward to implementing our University's initiatives and improving the department's strategic goals."

Prior to UIW, Stevens spent two years at the University of North Carolina (UNC) where she was the Business Services Coordinator of Athletics. In that position, Stevens assisted in the preparation, administration and monitoring of an annual budget of $110 million. She also audited and processed various forms of payment including travel reimbursements, expense reports, and purchasing card charges for the department via the university's accounting system.

Stevens worked closely with men's and women's basketball, football and other departments in athletics to ensure journal entries were completed and processed accurately. Additionally, she handled the independent contractors process for volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball and tennis. Stevens also managed the Aramark contract and reconciling revenue commission totaling $1.3 million.

Prior to UNC, Stevens was an assistant women's basketball coach from 2015-18 at her alma mater, St. John's University. She finished her career as one of the most decorated players in St. John's history after scoring 1,515 points and grabbing 815 rebounds. Stevens was inducted into the St. John's University Hall of Fame in 2020. As an assistant coach, Stevens helped guide the Red Storm to a Big East championship.

Before joining the coaching ranks at St. John's, Stevens was the director of Business and Finance at Wagner College from 2014-15. While at Wagner, she helped monitor an annual athletics budget of more than $16 million, supported coaches and directors in budget planning and management by providing weekly and monthly financial reporting, and prepared and conducted the EADA and NCAA surveys for the department.

Additionally, Stevens reported all recruiting and operating expenses, guarantees, ticket sales and additional revenue for the annual audit. She also served as the liaison between the college business office, human resources and information technology departments for processing paperwork.

Following her playing days at St. John's (2008-12), Stevens played professionally for BCF Elfic Fribourg Basket – Ligue Nationale de Basketball (Switzerland-LNA) in Fribourg, Switzerland. She then worked as an accounts payable associate at Glencore LTD in 2013 and an assurance associate at McGladrey, LLP in 2014.

Stevens was a leadership coach for the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy and was selected as a MOAA Rising Star participant.

Stevens holds a Bachelor's degree of Science in Accounting from St. John's, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2012. She earned a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from North Carolina Central in December 2020. Stevens has a daughter, Aria Burrell.