Veteran administrator served in same capacity for AD Harrison at Austin Peay
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison announced Monday the hiring of Niesha Campbell as the Herd’s new Deputy Athletic Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Woman Administrator.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Niesha, her husband Kevin, and their daughters Kaitlyn and Aubrey to the Herd family,” Harrison said. “She’s an outstanding administrator with a proven record in finance, fundraising, external relations, and student-athlete development.”
Campbell joins Marshall after serving the past three years in the same role at Austin Peay, where she worked alongside Harrison.
“I’m honored to step into this role at Marshall,” Campbell said. “I want to thank President Brad Smith for this opportunity and am excited to continue working with Gerald Harrison, a leader and friend I’ve known for more than 20 years. Together, we’re committed to building on Marshall’s proud tradition and ensuring the best experience possible for our student-athletes.”
With more than 15 years of experience in strategic leadership, operations, and advancement, Campbell has made her mark at both Austin Peay and Duke University.
“At Duke and Austin Peay, I saw firsthand her creativity, innovation, and relentless work ethic,” Harrison added. “Everywhere she’s been, she’s left a lasting impact. I’m confident she’ll do the same here at Marshall.”
At Austin Peay, Campbell oversaw internal operations, student-athlete welfare, and external affairs, spearheading programs such as the WellPeayple Program and Community Resiliency Model to support mental health. She also revitalized the LeadHer initiative for women’s athletics, leading a campaign that raised $165,000 for women’s programs. She served as sport administrator for men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and beach volleyball.
Nationally, Campbell represented Austin Peay on several committees, including the 2024 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship Committee, the FCS Football Selection Committee, Women Leaders in Sports, and the Nashville Sports Council’s Women in Sports Committee.
Her career also includes eight years at Duke, where she held multiple leadership roles, including Director of Major Gifts, helping secure $5.8 million in 2017–18 alone, and launching the Duke Athletics Women’s Impact Network. She also served as Director of Annual Fund, Associate Director of Compliance, and Director of Human Resources.
Between her time at Duke and Austin Peay, Campbell was Director of Advancement at Trinity School in Durham (2019–22), where she raised $6.9 million through the “Trinity Forward Campaign.”
Campbell earned her bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State, a master’s in divinity from Liberty University (2012), and an MBA from Queens University in Charlotte (2016).
She and her husband, Kevin McLeod, are the proud parents of two daughters: Kaitlyn, a sprinter at Appalachian State, and Aubrey.
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