MALIBU, California -- The Pepperdine University Athletics Department has named Andrea Mosher-Childress to the position of Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academic Support.

Mosher-Childress will oversee the day-to-day operations of Pepperdine's Academic Support Services Center, develop and manage newly established leadership and career development programs and provide direct academic support to the men's and women's basketball teams.

"It is truly an honor to step into this role at Pepperdine," Mosher-Childress said. "In each interaction with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and administration, you can tell that this is a special place with a strong sense of community and a relentless commitment to excellence. I am appreciative of the foundation that has been laid and know that it will be a springboard for us to reach new heights in student-athlete development and academic support services."

Karina Herold, Pepperdine Senior Associate Director of Athletics, said: "Andrea brings experience, dedication and passion to our academic support team and will help lead efforts to enhance important student-athlete development initiatives, including values-based leadership training and career development services. With Andrea's guidance and expertise, we will be able to provide our student-athletes with new and innovative programming that will complement their spiritual journey, classroom experience and athletic pursuits."

Mosher-Childress spent the last two years (2014-16) at DePaul University as an assistant director of athletic academic advising. She worked directly with the men's basketball and women's tennis teams.

She also had a two-year stint (2011-13) at the University of Detroit Mercy as an academic coordinator assistant with the men's and women's basketball teams. Prior to UDM, she spent five years at her alma mater (2006-11), Illinois State University, where she worked in such roles as the Director of Student-Athlete Development and the Assistant Director of the Athletic Study Center.

Mosher-Childress, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was a four-year student-athlete at Illinois State, where she qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 400-meter hurdles. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in exercise science, then earned a master's degree in sport management from the same school in 2008. She would also go on to earn a graduate certificate in ethical leadership and change management from Detroit Mercy in 2013.

In 2011, she and husband Ira Childress also founded Childress Sports Consulting, which educates student-athletes, coaches and young professionals on subjects such as college athletic recruitment and career and leadership development.