LATONYA M. WATSON
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Washington,DC
33
years of professional experience
Results-driven leader with deep expertise in academic support for student-athletes. Developed and implemented academic monitoring systems and individualized plans, enhancing student engagement and achieving academic milestones across multiple sports programs. Skilled in NCAA compliance and strategic recruitment, creating pathways for academic and athletic success.
Work History
Associate Director for Academics
4 Years- Served as a decision-maker as part of its Leadership Team in the Herbst Academic Center (HAC) in leading strategic initiatives to enhance academic program quality and student engagement.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of policies and protocols that improved operational efficiency leading to record breaking academic performance by student-athletes that exceeded the general student population.
- Planned, coordinated, and monitored academic services provided to student-athletes by developing student academic assessment measures to track academic progress toward matriculation.
- Utilized Individual Academic Plans (IAP) and grade trackers for each student-athlete.
- Organized a tier system to identify and reflect the level of academic need of each student-athlete toward becoming confident, independent learners.
- Coached and mentored student-athletes during regularly scheduled meetings to assess their individual academic needs.
- Coordinated effective uses of campus-wide resources – study hall, instructor office hours, tutors, writing lab, etc.
- Sport programs earned their highest team GPAs in program history – Football (3.011), Women's Basketball (3.427), Women’s Volleyball (3.530).
- Cultivated partnerships and collaborated with various campus entities to support the academic progress of student-athletes.
- Delivered bi-weekly academic reports to coaches, facilitating timely interventions such as academic huddles to address student-athlete needs.
- Met with faculty and campus academic advisors in planning degree programs for student-athletes that would keep them on track to graduate.
- Served as liaison with specific majors in the College of Arts & Sciences, Continuing Education, and the Organizational Leadership graduate program regarding courses, curriculum, majors and minors, advising, enrollment, academic progress, retention, and graduation.
- Worked in conjunction with the Assistant Registrar for Eligibility & Degree Services to monitor the NCAA eligibility and progress towards degree (PTD) of a caseload of approximately 45-60 student-athletes from football and women’s basketball or women’s volleyball each year.
- Assisted in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes.
- Provided academic presentations to prospective student-athletes during official and unofficial visits.
- Utilized preliminary campus evaluations and transfer reviews during individual meetings with transfer student-athletes to provide information needed to empower prospects during their decision-making process.
- Facilitated the onboarding process of incoming freshmen and transfer football, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball student-athletes. This process included orientation sessions, activating IdentiKeys, creating student email accounts, course registration, and accessing BuffOne student accounts.
- Successfully onboarded 60 new football student-athletes within a 3-week span of time to start the Spring 2026 term.
- acted as a supervisor for an academic coordinator on staff.
- Provided guidance and support through bi-weekly meetings.
- Assisted in problem solving, encouraged professional growth, and promoted a growth mindset.
- Ensured that policies and procedures were followed while upholding high standards of academic integrity.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making strategies, leading to more informed business choices and positive outcomes.
- Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance on professional development opportunities and career progression paths within the company.
- Cultivated partnerships with external stakeholders to expand resources and opportunities for students.
- Mentored staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
4 Years- Amassed a total of 336 wins.
- Nine 20-win seasons
- 11 postseason tournament appearances (6 – NCAA and 5 – WNIT)
- 3 Conference Championships
- Developed and coached over 20 student-athletes to All-Conference accolades.
- America East All-Conference Third Team (2022)
- America East All-Rookie Team (2021)
- ASUN All-Freshmen Team (2020)
- Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2015)
- Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Coaches Poll (2013)
- Patriot League Player of the Year (2010)
- Patriot League All-Rookie Team (2009)
- Mentored 15 players to professional careers in ABL, WNBA, and internationally, showcasing program's development success.
- Signed 27th nationally ranked recruiting class (2012) as recognized by ESPN.com’s HoopGurlz.
- Involved in the planning and implementation of daily practice, on-court coaching, player skill development, scouting of opponents, analyzing game/practice film, and evaluating officials.
- Coordinated and managed the entire recruiting process, ensuring alignment with program goals as recruiting coordinator.
- Coordinated recruiting schedules and travel for staff.
- Managed recruiting budget.
- Monitored compliance with NCAA rules/regulations.
- Developed weekly written and verbal correspondence plans.
- Oversaw the NLI signing and enrollment of incoming student-athletes.
- Served as the academic liaison to the Academic Support Center to monitor and mentor the academic achievement of student-athletes.
- 1999 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Team Honor Roll
- 40 Academic All-Conference student-athletes (Division I)
- Cultivated relationships with alumni and boosters during events off campus, enhancing community support and engagement.
- Directed the Matt Corkery’s Hoops School Team Camp (2008-2010) and Ceal Barry Girls’ Basketball Camps (1997 and 2004).
- Hired and managed camp staff.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
3 Years- Managed and administered all phases of the women’s basketball program including establishing core values and culture of the program, coordinating game/practice schedules, planning and implementation of daily practice plans, on-court coaching, scouting of opponents, analyzing game/practice film, evaluating game officials, and conducting summer basketball camps.
- Guided team to the program’s second consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Tournament semifinal appearance in first season at the helm (2015-16).
- Successfully established and implemented academic monitoring system leading to 85% of women’s basketball student-athletes earning selection to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll and two student-athletes selected to CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams.
- Developed and coached three players who garnered Northeast-10 All-Conference accolades and one Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team selection.
- Created and implemented individual skill development of student-athletes.
- Evaluated and developed assistant coaching staff – created staff expectations, delegated responsibilities, and provided written annual performance management evaluation reviews.
- Efficiently managed an overall annual budget of over $500,000, including $475,000 in athletic aid as well as an operating budget of $72,000.
- Established Empowerment Series, enriching student-athletes with life and career skills.
- Fostered an environment with a service mentality.
- Performed over 500 total community service hours yearly (2016-18).
- Earned the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Connecticut Chapter) Volunteer Team of the Year.
- Worked in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, Office of Admissions, faculty/staff, Food Services, and local elementary school principals to host Class at the Court for over 500 local fourth-grade students annually.
- Collaborated with Associate Director of Annual Giving to execute a 10-week crowdfunding campaign that surpassed $10,000 goal by 10%.
- Engaged women’s basketball alumni through the Charger Chronicles newsletter, alumni games/receptions, and special programming within team empowerment series.
Mathematics Instructor (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II) and Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach
2 YearsMathematics Instructor (Algebra I and Geometry) and Assistant Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach
1 YearMathematics Instructor (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Honors)
1 YearMathematics Instructor (7th Grade) and Girls' Basketball Coach (8th Grade)
2 YearsEducation
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Master of Science - Organizational Leadership
- Diversity and Inclusion for HR Certificate
Skills
Student-athlete recruitment
Academic program assessment
Project management
Strategic leadership
Team leadership
Analytical thinking
Talent development
Coaching and mentoring
Relationship management
Reporting processes
MS Office
Communication skills
Accomplishments
- Eastern Michigan Athletics E-Club Board of Directors (2022-Present)
- University of Colorado Athletics Strategic Plan Working Team Member (2023)
- America East Conference Spread Respect Advisory Group (2020-2021)
- Search Committees to select Academic Coordinator and Strength/Conditioning Coach (2012)
- NCAA Self-Study Committee for Academic Integrity for NCAA Certification (2004)
PROFESSIONAL & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
- Big 12 Beyond Borders (2025)
- New Employees Group Facilitator (2024-2026)
- WBCA Coach to Coach Mentoring Program Facilitator and Mentor (2018-2019)
- Felicia Hall Allen & Associates Head Coaches Leadership Academy (Cohort II – 2017)
- WBCA Convention Presenter (2013, 2017, 2018)
- WBCA Center for Coaching Excellence (2015)
- Coaches Workshop at Marine Corps Base Quantico (2015)
- Bucknell Bison Leadership Academy Facilitator (2014)
- Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) Program (2009)
Timeline
Associate Director for Academics
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
01.2022 - 01.2026Read More
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
01.2018 - 01.2022Read More
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN
01.2015 - 01.2018Read More
Mathematics Instructor (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II) and Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach
CHAMBLEE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
01.2006 - 01.2008Read More
Mathematics Instructor (Algebra I and Geometry) and Assistant Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach
MEADOWCREEK HIGH SCHOOL
01.2005 - 01.2006Read More
Mathematics Instructor (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Honors)
PIONEER HIGH SCHOOL
01.1995 - 01.1996Read More
Mathematics Instructor (7th Grade) and Girls' Basketball Coach (8th Grade)
DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
01.1993 - 01.1995Read More
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
from Diversity and Inclusion for HR Certificate
Read More
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Master of Science from Organizational Leadership
Read More
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science from Mathematics
Read More