Ellie Jindra has returned to Ashland University in a full-time capacity – and the former Eagle track and field athlete will get to see the athletic department from a different angle.
"I really am excited to be back at AU," said Jindra, working as an Advancement Coordinator. "Knowing what it felt like to be a student-athlete here, to come back and help create those opportunities for students on campus and on the track is incredibly meaningful to me.
"It's definitely fun. I'm learning a lot about the clubs and how they interact with athletics here in Advancement. So that's exciting. It's definitely a different perspective."
Jindra, a 2020 AU graduate in Sport Management, was a four-time NCAA Division II All-American high jumper as an Eagle, tying for fifth in the country outdoors in 2019.
"I'm excited to see Ellie return to campus," said
Al King, Ashland Director of Athletics. "She has an excellent understanding of Ashland University Athletics and the department's culture and goals. This is a new position for her, but that's not a concern because as a student-athlete, she owned a phenomenal work ethic. I would expect the same from her in this role. She's young and hungry."
"We are excited to welcome
Ellie Jindra back to Ashland University in her new role as Advancement Coordinator," said
Mark Libs, Ashland Executive Director, Director of Annual Giving in Institutional Advancement. "Ellie brings a strong connection to Ashland and will play an important role in strengthening our relationship with our athletic alumni, supporters, and friends. She will oversee all of the University's athletic booster clubs, helping our teams build engagement and philanthropic support that directly benefits our student-athletes.
"We are thrilled to have Ellie back as part of the Eagle family."
Jindra noted the she will have her first meetings with Eagle coaches this week and next, and she is excited to begin working with them.
Prior to joining Advancement, Jindra worked as a Career Pathway & Internship Coordinator at North Central State College, and was an assistant track and field coach at The College of Wooster for four years.
Jindra will continue to be a volunteer assistant jumps coach for the AU track and field team, which she has been since December of 2025.
"I feel like I am really lucky. The leadership here has been really welcoming in that perspective, knowing that track and field is a huge part of my life," Jindra said. "On the track and field side, A.G. (head coach
A.G. Kruger) and all the coaching staff…are also super-excited about me continuing to be there."
Jindra now has the opportunity to work at her alma mater full-time, and help grow the athletic department which helped shape her as an undergrad.
"I feel like it's a really special opportunity," she said. "I didn't know I was even going to go to Ashland until four weeks before school started. It was really an abrupt change. I was supposed to go to Kent (State).
"When I got here, and throughout my five years here, I really think I built a family. And when I think of Ashland, I think of all the great relationships, all the great mentors, and all the friends that I still see today. It's a full-circle moment for me."
