CCIW appoints Lexie Vernon as new executive director
Lexie Vernon has been appointed as the next Executive Director of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), effective January 1, 2026. The announcement was made by Dr. John Swallow, President of Carthage College and Chair of the CCIW Council of Presidents.
Vernon is originally from the Chicagoland area and returns to a region where she began her career in collegiate administration. She brings experience from both NCAA Division II and Division III institutions, with a focus on student-athlete-centered leadership.
Most recently, Vernon served as Interim Commissioner for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). In that role, she managed governance, championships, compliance, media relations, financial sustainability, and membership services for 15 institutions. Her tenure included improvements to the RMAC Network streaming platform, expansion of staff through a graduate assistant program, acquisition of grant funding for marketing roles, strengthened communications efforts, increased fan engagement initiatives, and enhanced championship branding.
Dr. Swallow commented on Vernon's selection: “Lexie Vernon was a standout candidate from the start, and our all-institution search committee, very ably assisted by search consultant Kurt Patberg, was extremely impressed by her broad experience, deep passion, and tireless work ethic,” he said. “The CCIW is thrilled with the impact we know she will have.”
Before joining RMAC, Vernon spent over a decade at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. There she held several positions including Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance, Business and Internal Operations; Senior Woman Administrator; Interim Director of Athletics; Assistant Softball Coach; and Assistant Athletic Trainer. Her responsibilities covered budget management, human resources oversight, gender equity planning efforts, recruiting strategies development, student support programs implementation, strategic planning activities coordination among others.
Upon her appointment Vernon stated: “I am honored to serve as the next Executive Director of the CCIW,” she said. “Returning home to the area where I grew up competed and came into my own as an administrator is deeply meaningful. It was evident throughout the search process that the CCIW is the right place at the right time both for the conference and for me. I look forward to engaging with our presidents athletic administrators coaches and student-athletes to elevate our shared identity and lead the CCIW and Division III more broadly into its next era.”
Vernon also has NCAA governance experience through service on national committees such as PROP (Playing Rules Oversight Panel) and chairing the NCAA Softball Rules Committee. She holds degrees from Lewis University (B.A., Athletic Training) where she played softball for four years; Western Illinois University (M.S., Sport Management); and completed the NCAA Pathway Program.
She added: “Coming home to serve the CCIW is a full circle moment. Division III is where I learned what meaningful leadership looks like and where I began shaping the values that guide me today. I am grateful to President Swallow and the entire search committee for their confidence in me. Together we will continue advancing the proud tradition of the CCIW and lead Division III into its next era.”
Colleagues have expressed support for Vernon's appointment:
Chris Graham – Commissioner Sunshine State Conference:
"The CCIW hit a homerun with the hiring of Lexie. There are few commissioners in college athletics with her range of experience her broad view of our industry landscape and her understanding of day-to-day conference administration. Lexie leads with great conviction and builds strong productive relationships. There are great things ahead for both her and the CCIW."
Mike Zapolski – Director of Athletics Augustana College:
"Small college athletics is in the midst of a challenging time on many fronts,and I look forward to working closely with Lexie to best positionthe CCIWand our student-athletesfor academicand competitive excellence.Lexie's past professional experiences positionher wellto makean immediateimpactwithour membership."
Kim Nelson-Brown – Senior Associate Directorof Athletics/SWA/Head Volleyball Coach Illinois Wesleyan:
"Lexie has excelledin variousrolesoverher career.She bringsa wealthof perspectiveto CC IWthroughher rolesas a formercoach assistantathleticdirector SWAandseniorassociatecommissioner.Throug hdiscussions you could tellthat Lexieremainsfocusedonthe overallstudent-athleteexperience fosteringaninclusiveenvironmentand ensuringthata student focusedapproachdrivesthedailyoperationsof ourconferenceoffice."