Melinda Reger is in her first year as academic advisor and student-athlete affairs coordinator at College of Charleston.

Reger joined the Cougars after serving as an intern in the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence at Florida Atlantic University. There, she mentored at-risk student-athletes and equipped them with study skills and tools for academic success as well as assisted with the CHAMPS Life Skills program. She simultaneously completed her master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington in June of 2011.

Reger oversees the academic advising for women's basketball, men's soccer, sailing, equestrian and men's and women's swimming and diving at CofC.

"I expect great things from Mindy," CofC Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Keith Merritt II said. "She will be coordinating our student-athlete affairs program as well as advising our athletic teams. With her experience and background, she will do an outstanding job in providing quality service to our student-athletes."

Prior to FAU, Reger worked as an account executive for Matrix Advertising Associates Inc., in New York City from 2006-10. She handled advertising and marketing ventures as well as managed client sponsorships with the New York Yankees, AFL Chicago Rush, Olympic triathlete Hunter Kemper and PGA Strength and Conditioning Coach Christopher Noss.

"I'm excited to join the academic services staff at the College of Charleston and have the opportunity to work with the amazing student-athletes who learn and compete here," Reger said. "As a former student-athlete, I'm looking forward to supporting our student-athletes as they find the balance between their academic and athletic lives."

Originally from Flemington, N.J., Reger is a 2006 graduate of Syracuse University where she was a four-year member of the 2003 Big East Conference champion women's rowing team. She graduated from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication with dual degrees in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and advertising with a minor in music industry.

While an undergraduate, she served as an ambassador and peer facilitator with the Whitman School and was a student member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics during her graduate coursework at UW. Reger was also active with Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity. She currently resides in Charleston and is the owner and designer of a handmade jewelry company, Stars in Winter.