April 14, 2025 – Lori Kerans ’85, Millikin University Athletics Hall of Fame coach, has been appointed Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement, effective April 16, 2025.
A graduate of the Class of 1985, Kerans currently serves as Millikin’s Director of Community Engagement & Recruitment in the Office of Admission. The college says her efforts have led to five-year highs in the number and percentage of first-year students coming from Macon County.
In this new role, Kerans will lead the Department of Athletics and work to develop strategies in the areas of enrollment, retention, student success, and fundraising while promoting a winning culture to support student-athletes.
“In this position, Lori will provide the strategic vision and leadership necessary to continue advancing Millikin University’s mission and the Department of Athletics,” Acting President Mary Black said. “Alongside President-Elect Dean Pribbenow, I have no doubt that she will bring the same exemplary service and passion to this new opportunity that she has brought to Millikin throughout her entire career — one that has spanned nearly four decades and touched nearly every area of campus.”
Kerans returns to Athletics after serving the department from 1986 to 2018. During that time, she accomplished several historic achievements. She is Millikin’s all-time winningest coach, leading the Women’s Basketball Team to more than 550 wins, 24 winning seasons, numerous CCIW titles, and the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2004-05. Kerans was the first female Athletic Director in the CCIW.
“As one of our local community’s most invested citizens, I can think of no one more equipped to lead the charge in invigorating our community partnerships,” Black said. “Lori will continue to be a loyal advocate for students, coaches, staff, and the University — championing a unified image of Millikin through Athletics and community engagement, and serving as one of our greatest, proudest ambassadors.”
