WINONA, Minn. - Winona State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer R. Flowers as Director of Athletics, effective June 18, 2025.

Flowers brings more than two decades of athletics experience to Winona State, along with a desire to continue the Warriors' reputation as one of the premiere intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation.

"We're proud to welcome Jen to the Winona State community of learners," said Dr. Kenneth Janz, President of Winona State University. "Her dedication to excellence and student-centered leadership will be a great addition to our campus and to our Warriors athletics program."

Flowers is the first female Director of Athletics in Winona State University history to oversee both the women's and men's programs. As Director of Athletics she will provide administrative leadership for the university's comprehensive athletics program and collaborate across the university community to foster a culture of student athlete success. Flowers will work to align university athletics with Winona State's strategic priorities and external relations endeavors, including fundraising, marketing promotions and public relations. Her leadership as Director of Athletics will be critical to university compliance with applicable laws including Title IX, and NCAA and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rules and regulations.

"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to return to Winona State to lead the Athletics Department. Winona State is an incredibly special place for myself and my family," said Flowers.

"I want to thank President Janz, Vice President Olson, and the Search Committee for their work in this process and for their belief in me. Being named the Athletic Director at my Alma Mater is a dream come true. I'm excited to work alongside our student-athletes, coaches, and campus community to build on the tradition and values that define Warrior Athletics."

Flowers comes to Winona State following three years as the Director of Athletics at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), during which time her vision and passion for SMSU student-athlete's academic and athletic success made a major impact within the SMSU campus and Marshall community. SMSU student-athletes set a department record cumulative GPA of 3.31 during the 2024 Fall semester.

Flowers also has been actively involved with various regional and national committees during her career, and in January 2025 she was named to the NCAA Division II Management Council.

In her previous role as Commissioner for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (July 2019-June 2022), Flowers oversaw the eight-team Division I women's hockey league, including all areas of the league's operations and staffing. The 2022 season included the formation of a revolutionary partnership between the WCHA and the Big Ten Network as the league embarked on an exclusive streaming partnership with B1G+. Increasing the exposure and visibility of the league at a national level, Flowers also bridged broadcasting partnerships with Fox9+ for the Final Faceoff and Bally Sports North throughout the season.

Continuing to grow the WCHA's external relations, the 2021-22 year included Flowers' announcement of the largest sponsorship deals for the Final Faceoff championship in league history along with a fresh website partnership with SIDEARM Sports. Flowers' vision for the league continued to build through campus relations with her coaching staffs and student-athletes, along with historic growth of the WCHA's social media presence.

During her prior appointment as Assistant Commissioner for Membership Services for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (August 2016-July 2019), Flowers focused on the internal service of the membership and league stakeholders. She served as the office liaison in support of the NSIC senior women's administrators, faculty athletic representatives, Student-Athlete Advisory Committees and officials coordinators.

Flowers was responsible for assisting with strategic plan implementation with a commitment to academics and life skills, athletics operations and compliance, diversity and inclusion, game day, championships, membership and positioning. She had championship oversight of volleyball, swimming & diving, basketball and softball. Flowers was also closely involved in sponsorship and corporate partner initiatives.

Flowers coordinated the launch of the league's SAAC Cup, which was designed to encourage engagement of campus Student-Athlete Advisory Councils. She developed and implemented the NSIC Women's Coaches Symposium in 2017, which has since been rebranded the NSIC Women's Leadership Symposium. Flowers also oversaw the creation of the NSIC Elite 18 Award, which recognizes the student-athlete with the top GPA in each of the league's sponsored sports.

Prior to her tenure at the NSIC, Flowers worked at Winona State as the Associate Athletic director and Senior Woman Administrator from 2012-15. She also had a stint at Winona State from 2006-09. Flowers oversaw internal aspects of the department, including compliance and budget coordination along with athletic department scheduling. She was the department's liaison to the Winona State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well.

Flowers began her career in intercollegiate athletics during the 2004-05 academic year at the University of Minnesota where she was the Assistant to the Associate Athletic Director. She was the Assistant Championship Manager for four NCAA Championships, one WCHA Championship, and also was the Assistant Game Director for Minnesota's Music City Bowl appearance in 2004.

Following her year at Minnesota, Flowers served as an assistant women's basketball and volleyball coach at Simpson College during the 2005-06 season. She helped guide Simpson's women's basketball team to the Iowa Conference regular season and tournament championships while equaling the program's record for wins in a season. She also helped guide the volleyball program to a 21-14 record and a second-place finish at the conference tournament.

Flowers was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Winona State from 1999-2002, where she was a two-year captain, two-time all-conference honoree and a three-time Academic All-NSIC selection.

Flowers earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education, with an emphasis in middle school mathematics, from Winona State University, and her master's degree in education, recreation, park & leisure studies from the University of Minnesota.

Flowers and her husband, Jonte – a three-time Winona State Hall of Fame inductee – have one daughter, Ayanna, and one son, Kellen.

All are invited to a special media event from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, in Baldwin Lounge, Kryzsko Commons. You will have the opportunity to welcome Winona State's new Director of Athletics in person, followed by brief comments and a Q&A.

• Noon to 12:15 p.m. - Announcement of Winona State's New Director of Athletics
• 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. - Comments and Q&A with Jennifer Flowers
• 12:30 to 1 p.m. - Refreshments, Interview and Photo Opportunities

For more information contact the Winona State Marketing and Communications Office at 507-457-5024.