Kerri-Ann McTiernan is in her ninth year at Nassau Community College, serving as the Assistant Vice President of Athletics. In this role, she provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for Nassau’s 27 intercollegiate athletic teams and over 400 student-athletes. Her responsibilities encompass fiscal management, personnel oversight, strategic planning, facilities management, and general operations. She serves as the primary liaison between Nassau Athletics, the broader campus community, and Nassau County.
Since joining Nassau, McTiernan has established a clear vision for excellence across all aspects of the student-athlete experience. Under her leadership, Nassau Athletics has cultivated a winning culture grounded in high expectations, positive environments, and successful student outcomes. Dedicated to honoring Nassau’s championship legacy, she continues to create new opportunities for growth and engagement for the Lions.
McTiernan’s achievements have been widely recognized. In 2020, she received the prestigious Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award, the NJCAA’s highest honor, awarded for significant contributions to two-year college athletics on a national scale. In 2016, she was honored with the NJCAA George E. Killian Award of Excellence, which recognizes individuals exemplifying voluntarism, achievement, service, leadership, and excellence.
Beyond Nassau, McTiernan serves as a prominent leader within the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). She is a member of the NJCAA Board of Regents and Leadership Cabinet, where she serves as Vice Chair for the national governing body overseeing 520+ two-year colleges and 70,000 student-athletes. Additionally, she is the Region XV Executive Director, leading 18 NJCAA member colleges across New York City, Long Island, and Upstate New York.
At Nassau, McTiernan is at the forefront of advancing a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program that aligns with the College’s mission and strategic goals. Her initiatives emphasize enhancing student-athlete enrollment, retention, and academic success, strengthening the LIONS brand, increasing community engagement, and maintaining national prominence in athletic achievements.
Before her tenure at Nassau, McTiernan served as the Director of Athletics at SUNY FIT (2001–2015) and CUNY Kingsborough (1993–2001). At FIT, she expanded the athletic department, adding teams that achieved enduring regional and national success. She also developed a campus-wide recreation and wellness program and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Stanton Fitness Center. At Kingsborough, McTiernan made history as the first woman in the nation to serve as Head Coach for a Men’s College Basketball team, leading them to a CUNY Championship victory in 2000.
McTiernan holds a BA in Public Health Medicine from Johns Hopkins University and an MPA in Health Administration from LIU Brooklyn. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from St. John’s University.
