Katie Hoppe Named Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Wellesley College

Katie Hoppe Named Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Wellesley College

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Bethany Ellis, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics (PERA) has announced the hiring of Katie Hoppe as Senior Associate Director of Athletics and PERA. 

"Throughout the search process, Katie demonstrated a thoughtful approach to athletic administration, an instant connection to students, and an ability to successfully navigate the varying demands of this position," said Ellis. "I have no doubt that she will be a great addition to PERA and I look forward to working with her as we look to PERA's future."

Hoppe joins Wellesley from MIT, where she served as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student-Athlete Development. Hoppe joined MIT in 2012, moving from Administrative Assistant to Sports Administrative Coordinator, to her most recent role where she worked directly with the MIT's NCAA compliance program and in student-athlete development.

As Assistant Director of Athletics at MIT, Hoppe supervised ten sports, assisting head coaches with goal setting, recruiting plans, schedules, and budgets. She was responsible for the management of MIT, NEWMAC, and NCAA compliance, including student academic and athletic certification, approving playing and practice seasons, answering daily compliance interpretations, creating policies and procedures, and maintaining the MIT compliance manual.

The chair of MIT's Engineering Success Leadership Committee, Hoppe worked with a team that developed a specialized student-athlete wellbeing program focused on implementing leadership skills. Hoppe was responsible for content development, scheduling and outreach for the Student-Athlete Leadership Program including coordination of programming with on-campus partners and guest speakers covering topics such as: self-care, sense of belonging and positive team culture.

An active contributor within MIT's Division of Student Life (DSL), Hoppe was a member of the Division of Student Life Staff Engagement Advisory Board, Varsity Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) Mentor Program, DSL Assessment Planning Group, and the Infinite Mile Awards Committee. She was also a three-time recipient of Infinite Mile Awards, earning honors for "Building Community" in 2014 and 2018, while also being recognized with the "Serving the Client Award" in 2016.

Prior to her time at MIT, Hoppe completed an internship with the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. She continues to volunteer with the Special Olympics of Massachusetts as a member of the annual Summer Games management team, concentrating on Track and Field games management including: facility set-up and breakdown, managing 100+ volunteers and 600 track and field athletes over two days of competition.

A 2008 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Sports Studies, Hoppe was a four-year member of the Wildcats' track and field team and collected a pair of America East outdoor all-conference honors in the heptathlon. She received a Master's degree in Sport Leadership from Northeastern University in May 2016. As an undergraduate at UNH, Hoppe was also an intern at the Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation with her focus being the Bay State Games. She was charged with scheduling and organizing the entertainment lineup for the Opening Ceremony while assisting in the planning of 25 sport competitions.

An active participant in Women Leaders in College Sports, Hoppe attended the Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement in 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Women's LeadHERship Symposium in 2014 and 2017, the Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA) Women's Leadership Symposium in 2015.


Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.