Linda Melnick has been appointed Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation at Queen's University with immediate effect. Melnick succeeds Leslie Dal Cin who retired from the position in May of 2022.
"Linda has long been dedicated to post-secondary athletics and recreation dating back to her time as an OUA varsity athlete," said Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, who led the recruitment process. "She is known for leading change based on transparency and collaboration. She is a champion for safe sport, and ensuring the principles of equity, diversity, inclusivity, Indigenization, and accessibility are fundamental to her work in supporting students and student athletes."
As the Executive Director, Melnick will work to advance the University's mission and strategic goals and foster a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration and innovation that support exceptional recreation and athletic programs and services, which serve the entire university community. The Executive Director also leads the development, management, business operations and assessment of programs and services that engage and have significant impact for students, student-athletes, stakeholders and partners.
"I am excited for this opportunity as we continue our work to achieve our department's vision of being the leading Athletics and Recreation program in Canada," said Melnick. "I am honoured to follow Leslie, whose leadership transformed the department and its operations.
"My time at Queen's has shown me the incredible spirit and history of this institution, and we will continue to honour that in the wellness services we provide for students across campus, as well as empowering the student-athletes and coaches who represent this community in competition to achieve excellence across sport, the classroom and our community."
Melnick has been a member of the Athletics & Recreation department at Queen's for six years, most recently serving as Interim Director, Business Development. She joined the department in 2016 as Associate Director, Finance and Operations. In addition to her role within Athletics & Recreation at Queen's, Melnick has worked as a High Performance Team Coach within the Business Coaching Group at the Smith School of Business since 2018.
Prior to her arrival at Queen's, Melnick worked across a number of roles within the University of Guelph's Department of Athletics. She served as both the Head Coach of the Guelph Gryphons Women's Volleyball program from 1994 to 2005, earning OUA Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year honours on two occasions (1994, 2004) and the OUA Fox 40 Coach of the Year Award in 2004. While Head Coach of the Gryphons volleyball program, she also worked as the Intramural/Sports Groups and Clubs Supervisor. Following her time as a coach, she held the role of Senior Manager of Finance and Operations for the Athletics Department at Guelph.
Melnick is currently a Ph.D. Management Candidate at the University of Guelph, specializing in Organizational Leadership, and has a Master's Degree in Executive Leadership. She completed her undergraduate studies in Physical Education and Biology at York University. While at York, Melnick was a varsity athlete on the women's volleyball team, capturing five consecutive OUA Championships.
