Miami University's Associate Athletic Director, Jennie Gilbert, has announced the addition of Faith Girton as the new Champions 4 Life Director.

Girton will create foundational, sequential, immersive and comprehensive leadership programming for student-athletes involved in the Champions 4 Life Leadership Academy. She will challenge the student-athletes within the C4L Leadership Academy through readings, activities, journaling and mentoring.

Other duties include developing a planned course for credit for all student-athletes to assist in the development of mature, confident leaders for all Miami athletic teams, as well as assisting with career mentoring initiatives to support the department's goal of 100% placement at a first destination within six months of graduation. She will also coordinate leadership programming for coaches and staff within the department and provide support and consultation to coaches and staff in areas of team building, motivation, communication, and conflict resolution.
 
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join Miami Athletics in such a transformational role. The staff at Miami has done a phenomenal job crafting the foundations of Champions 4 Life, and I am thrilled to be entrusted with growing this program," said Girton. "I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Hassfurthers for their vision and continued support of Miami University and the student-athletes. From teaching student-athletes how to lead themselves first and foremost to the importance of legacy-building, I am looking forward to another year of 'Graduating Champions' 4 Life!"
 
Prior to joining the Red and White, Girton served as the Player Engagement Coordinator at Old Dominion University (2024-2025) and as the Director of Player Development at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated High School Varsity Football (2023-24). As the Player Engagement Coordinator, she enhanced the development of football student-athletes through comprehensive analysis, strategic planning and innovative programming. As the Director of Player Development, Girton developed programming tailored for holistic development opportunities for student-athletes related to team pillars (skills and learning, personal development, and career/professional development).
 
She has also spent time as a Leadership Support Coordinator (2021-2024) and a Graduate Assistant for the Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership (2021-23).
 
Girton received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Indiana University in 2020 and earned her Master of Education in Counseling from Springfield College in 2024.