The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) welcomed Vjollca Hennie to its athletics team as Associate Athletics Director for Development in September 2026. With experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, fundraising, event management, and relationship development, Hennie brings a diverse background to her role. At UIW, she supports efforts to strengthen philanthropic giving and build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni, corporate partners, and the UIW community.
Before joining UIW, Hennie served as Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship within Athletics at the University of San Diego. In this role, she supported donor engagement, stewardship initiatives, fundraising campaigns, and events designed to strengthen relationships with athletics supporters and student-athletes.
Hennie’s experience in athletics also includes several years with the Sacramento Kings, where she worked in ticket sales, premium sales, and client relationship management. Prior to that, she was a graduate assistant with the Tyee Club at the University of Washington and served as the Hornet Club Coordinator at California State University, Sacramento, where she also worked as a Property Assistant for Hornet Sports Properties with Learfield IMG. Her career in sports followed her time as a four-year student-athlete in women’s rowing at Sacramento State, where she gained firsthand experience as a collegiate athlete and developed a lasting connection to athletics.
Bringing together her experience as both a student-athlete and athletics professional, Hennie has developed a strong understanding of the importance of relationships, engagement, and support in collegiate athletics. At UIW, she continues to build relationships and support development initiatives that provide additional resources and opportunities for Cardinal student-athletes and contribute to the continued growth of UIW Athletics.
Hennie resides in Converse, Texas, with her husband, Isiah, their two children, Israel and Era, and their dog, Maëva.
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