President Michael Schneider is pleased to announce Chandler Short as the new director of athletics at McPherson College. Short, who is currently serving as interim director of athletics, will be the first woman to serve as the full-time athletic director in the history of McPherson College.
“Chandler has been key to recent successes in our athletic department,” President Schneider said. “She will serve our coaches and students well as the department focuses on consistently competing to win the KCAC Commissioner’s Cup, while embracing core values related to our mission of developing whole persons.”
Short began her career at McPherson College in 2017 and was quickly promoted to assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator in 2018. In addition to a number of administrative activities, Short also supervised all game day operations for Bulldog teams and led many external relations activities including the creation of the Bulldog Athletic Banquet fundraiser. She has been part of an athletic department at McPherson College that has experienced all-time highs in enrollment, fundraising and academic success. In addition, she played a vital role in the creation of the athletic department’s first strategic plan. She replaces Andrew Ehling who resigned in December to accept the position of athletic director at New Mexico Highlands University.
“I would like to thank President Schneider for the continued opportunity to lead McPherson College Athletics,” Short said. “These are exciting times to be working with the talented athletic department staff, coaches, and student-athletes. McPherson is a special place where I started my college career and I am excited to serve the student-athletes and staff of McPherson College Athletics and support this campus community.”
She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health from McPherson College in 2015 and a Master’s Degree in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2017. Short served as a graduate assistant in the OU Athletic Department Student-Athlete Support Services & Student-Athlete Development Office. She spent time working with the sports psychologist and psychological resources for the student athletes office at OU, and served on the Intercollegiate Athletic Administration Student Association Executive Board as alumni relations coordinator. She was also part of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament staff in Oklahoma City.
As a student-athlete at McPherson College, she was a member of the women’s basketball team from 2012-2014 and the tennis team that won back-to-back KCAC championships in 2014 and 2015.