Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf

Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf is a part-time lecturer at Castleton University in the Athletic Leadership Master’s program and a full-time lecturer at the University of Massachusetts-Boston in the Sports Administration and Leadership undergraduate program. Prior to teaching, Dr. Hammond-Graf worked in NCAA Division I College Athletics for over 20 years and most recently as the Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She oversaw all student-athlete facing services, such as Academic Services, Sports Medicine, and Strength and Conditioning, as well as the Sport Supervisor for several teams.

After playing soccer during her childhood, Dr. Hammond-Graf was introduced to rugby in 1992 at the University of Connecticut, and subsequently won the 1993 National Collegiate Championships. Over the next 17 years, she played for and coached several college, club, and select-side teams including playing for the US Women’s National 7’s team in 2003.

Recently completing her doctorate in Higher Education and Leadership from Frostburg University, Dr. Hammond-Graf researched how rugby can provide a platform to create a process of empowerment for women.

She has a master’s degree in Sport Psychology from Temple University and an undergraduate degree in Sport Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Her research interests include rugby, the empowerment process for women through sports, women and sports, and leadership.