Jenira Shufford - Associate Director for Academic Excellence, Learning Assistance Program/Learning Specialist - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Jenira Shufford

Title:
Associate Director for Academic Excellence, Learning Assistance Program/Learning Specialist
Email:
Phone:
(806) 834-8092

Jenira Shufford joined the Athletic Academic Services staff September 2021 as a learning specialist. Since then, she has transitioned to the Assistant Director of the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) in September 2022. Her primary duties include assessing the academic needs of student-athletes, developing learning plans and providing individualized academic guidance for these students. Shufford also collaborates with Student Disability Services, Sports Medicine, and other TTU campus resources to coordinate with the Learning Assistance Program and meet the needs of each individual student-athlete.

Prior to arriving to Texas Tech University, Shufford served in a hybrid role in the Student Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) department at Norfolk State University from 2017-2021. As the sole Learning Specialist, Shufford coordinated support services for academically at-risk students, developed and implemented individualized academic action plans, and served as the liaison to the Office of Accessibility Services & International Student Services (OASIS) for the student-athlete population. Additionally, as an Academic Coordinator, Shufford had sport oversight of the women’s volleyball, women’s bowling, baseball programs throughout her time at NSU. Furthermore, Shufford was charged with the personal development initiative of the Student-Athlete Development program, coordinated the Spartan Youth Club, managed the SAAS social media accounts, and co-advised the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Shufford joined NSU Athletics full-time after serving as a Graduate Assistant for SAAS by assisting with all day-to-day operations of the office.

Shufford is a member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) and Women Leaders in College Sports. She participated in the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Advancement (IA) in 2021 and the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar in 2018.
A native of Newport News, VA, Shufford’s collegiate track & field career began at Hampton University and concluded at Jacksonville University. As a student-athlete, Shufford served as the SAAC representative for the JU women’s track & field team. Moreover, she interned at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center through the Girl Matters: It’s Elementary Program—a project model that intervenes early in girls’ lives to improve school success and stop their suspension and expulsion from school. Girls receive individualized interventions that address underlying issues contributing to their acting out behaviors (trauma, family stressors) and are provided with one-to-one sessions focused on their personal safety, relationships, communication, emotions, and identity.

Shufford received both her undergraduate degree in psychology and master's degree in sport management from Jacksonville University.