Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Dr. Rachel Burleson was appointed Director of Athletics at Embry-Riddle on May 15, 2024 following a seven-year term as the Director of Athletics at Franklin Pierce University. Burleson is the first female athletics director and the fourth overall in school history.
 
Burleson’s 20-year career in coaching and athletics administration includes stops at Missouri Southern State University and Western State Colorado University in addition to her tenure at Franklin Pierce. At FPU, she spearheaded the growth of the athletics department to 24 sports programs, including the shift to NCAA II for the formerly sprint football program. Her vision of creating a winning culture for Raven Athletics included numerous facility improvements, as well as transitioning all head coaches to full time positions and installing new processes for on-boarding and mentorship of new coaches and staff.
 
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed and in March 2024, Burleson was selected as a 2023-24 NCAA II NACDA AD of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the 2023-24 Nike Division II Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports.
 
Prior to ascending to the director’s role at Franklin Pierce, Burleson spent five years as an Associate Athletics Director at Missouri Southern State where she oversaw internal operations and headed up the Lions’ compliance office. She also served as MSSU’s Senior Woman Administrator and had sport oversight of golf, volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball. Her time at MSSU was preceded by an eight-month stint at Western State Colorado University where she was an Assistant Athletic Director for special events.
 
Burleson started her professional career in college athletics as an assistant coach for the softball and volleyball programs at Kenyon College. From there, she spent two years as an assistant softball coach at Northwest Missouri State, helping the Bearcats to an NCAA Championship appearance.
 
Burleson’s first administrative role came when she was hired as the Assistant Athletic Director and head softball coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. She balanced head coaching responsibilities with oversight of all aspects of event administration, including ticketing, coordination of officials, locker rooms, concessions and game setup and teardown. Burleson also taught a variety of courses in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department and was the game management director for football and basketball at Goodwell High School.
 
Burleson has also served in leadership positions on several national boards and committees. She has chaired the NE10 Athletic Council and the Women’s Rowing Regional Advisory Committee, served on the softball Regional Advisory Committee and the NCAA II Women’s Rowing National Committee and is the first woman to serve on the NCAA II Men’s Lacrosse National Committee. She is a member of the D2 ADA Executive Board, the New England Women's Hockey Executive Committee and the National Women’s Rowing Coaches Connector of the NCAA DII Coaches Connection Program.
 
Burleson holds a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports from Tarleton State University, a master's in Athletic Administration from Northwest Missouri State and an MBA from Franklin Pierce. Additionally, she earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education from Wilmington University in March 2025.