KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Director of Athletics Milton Overton has announced three administrative appointments to bolster the department as the Owls compete at the highest level of college athletics.
Dr. Jessica Reo, Ed.D., has been hired as Chief Administration Officer and Tierra Thompson joins as Chief of Staff. Christie Hughes came aboard in fall 2025 as Assistant Athletic Director, Athletics Events and Operations Manager.
"These three additions to our team bring a tremendous amount of experience and perspective to our department," said Overton. "Each has a skill set that complements the others, and together they'll play a key role in supporting our student-athletes and advancing our mission to build champions in the classroom, on the field, in the community, and in life."
Chief Administration Officer Jessica Reo, Ed.D.
Dr. Reo joins Kennesaw State after serving as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at Temple University from 2019-2025, where she was a member of the Athletics Executive Team overseeing strategic partnerships, health services, and varsity sport operations.
Throughout her distinguished career, Reo has demonstrated exceptional leadership in compliance, strategic planning, and program development. At Temple, she spearheaded the university's COVID-19 return to participation strategy for 19 sports and directed comprehensive sports medicine operations reviews that achieved significant cost savings. She also chaired multiple high-level searches and led Temple's successful bid to host the 2023 NCAA Women's Rowing Championship.
Prior to Temple, Reo served in senior leadership roles at Florida International University (2015-2019) and the University of Central Florida (2003-2015), where she held positions including Senior Woman Administrator, Senior Associate Athletics Director, and Director of Athletics Compliance. She has extensive experience in Title IX compliance, student-athlete development, fundraising, and facility projects.
Recognized as one of the nation's top assistant athletic directors in 2021 and a top 10 SWA in 2015, Reo holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Florida State University, a master's degree in sport and fitness from UCF, and a bachelor's degree in English from FSU. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Temple and UCF, teaching athletics administration and public relations courses.
"I am excited and honored to join Kennesaw State University Athletics and would like to thank Athletic Director Milton Overton for this opportunity," said Reo. "His vision for the department made this an easy decision and I am eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of Owl Athletics."
Chief of Staff Tierra Thompson
Thompson joins KSU Athletics from Huron Consulting Group, where she most recently served as a Consulting Director in the Strategy and Operations practice. She led large-scale transformation initiatives for higher education institutions, with a focus on athletics strategy, change management, governance, facilities and space planning, and workforce design.
Since joining Huron in 2021, Thompson partnered closely with senior executives, boards, and athletic directors to guide complex organizational change. Her work included facilitating strategic planning and governance discussions, supporting revenue-generation initiatives within athletics departments, leading campus-wide space utilization studies, and managing workforce transition efforts. She also played a key role in launching Huron's internal Strategy & Operations Leadership Development Program.
Prior to her consulting career, Thompson held leadership and enrollment roles in higher education from 2015 to 2021, including positions at Lynn University, Pine Crest School, and the College of DuPage. She has also worked at Aurora University, North Central College, and Henry Ford Academy.
Thompson is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organization Development at Benedictine University. She holds a master's degree in leadership studies with a higher education focus from North Central College and a bachelor's degree in recreation administration and communication from Aurora University.
"I'm honored to join Kennesaw State Athletics at such an exciting moment for the department," said Thompson. "I'm looking forward to partnering with our coaches, staff, and campus leaders to support strategic alignment, operational excellence, and a student-athlete experience that reflects KSU's momentum and values."
Assistant AD, Athletics Events and Operations Manager Christie Hughes
Hughes arrived at KSU Athletics after 13 years at Georgia Tech. Her most recent role in Atlanta was director of facilities and administration (2022-2025), where she handled vendor relations, budgets, access control, capital projects and football gameday planning.
Hughes began at Georgia Tech in 2012 and held different roles throughout her time there. From 2009 to 2012, she ran facilities and events operations at Georgia State, creating practice and game day plans for 16 Division I sports. She also directed all CAA and NCAA tournaments that GSU hosted.
Before working in college athletics, Hughes spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Orlando Magic, Georgia Force and Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Hughes graduated from North Carolina State University in 2003 with a bachelor's in parks, recreation, tourism and sports management and a business minor. She earned her master's in sport management from the University of Florida in 2006.
"I'm thrilled to be part of the Owl family. Kennesaw State has tremendous momentum, and I'm excited to contribute to that growth," said Hughes. "I've enjoyed hitting the ground running and we look forward to enhancing our operations across all sports."
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
