This is an occasional series of UNCG athletic "Staff Spotlights."
 
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kristin Rusboldt is an associate athletic director for student-athlete support services and diversity & intercultural engagement. She was a standout swimmer at Western Kentucky.
 
In addition to her current role of serving student-athletes and supporting their well-being using a holistic approach and meaningful programming, Rusboldt enhances UNCG's commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive organization through education and action.
 
She works with department and campus staff as well as student-athletes to help assess, evaluate, and implement strategies that can measure the progress toward UNCG athletics strategic priority of Culture & Community, which includes developing educational programs for staff and student-athletes regarding diversity, equity and social justice. 
 
Rusboldt is responsible for ongoing staff education and helping to provide an inclusive culture within the student-athlete community through intentional conversations and meaningful programming. During her time at UNCG, Rusboldt has been a catalyst for positive change.
 
Rusboldt has served in her role at UNCG since the fall of 2016.  She has oversight of the academic and student-athlete development success of the 17 Spartan sport programs. 
 
Under her guidance, the UNCG student-athletes have earned numerous record-setting GPA semesters and participate in a comprehensive holistic development program called The Spartan Shield.  
  
Learn more about Rusboldt with this quick bio blast.
 
How did playing sports in college help prepare you for the role you are in now at UNCG?  
Swimming is an individual sport - you compete every day against yourself. In college, you take that individual mentality and can apply it to a team atmosphere.  Being able to have both experiences helps me relate to each type of student-athlete and then apply it to our daily function as a department.  Having individual drive to apply to the greater good of a team is something that I love to be apart of at UNCG.

What does working at UNCG mean to you? 
I love this institution because the entire campus creates an atmosphere in which every student matters.  We pride ourselves on finding ways to celebrate the successes of our student-athletes on and off the field.  Their education matters as much as their competition and that creates well-rounded citizens of our community.

Favorite TV Shows: Schitts Creek, Ally McBeal, Hallmark Movies, Disney+.
What Are You Listening To: Podcasts: Code Switch and Unlocking us with Brene Brown.
Last Book Your Read/Currently Reading: Lovecraft Country & White Fragility.
First Job: Lifeguard.
Favorite Sports Teams: Buffalo Bills.
Favorite Food: Tacos.
Hero: My high school swim coach. He treated us with respect and expected greatness and dedication.  He did his job with compassion and love. When he passed away, it made me want to continue his "attitude is everything" approach in every single aspect of my life.
Bucket List: Road trip out west with my family.
Favorite Movies: Beauty and the Beast live action, Hocus Pocus, Good Will Hunting.
What is One Thing People Don't Know About You/Fun Fact?: I have two tattoos. The one on my wrist says 'attitude is everything.'