Makena Alexakos | Assistant AD, Student-Athlete Development & Operational Strategy | Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Makena Alexakos

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Assistant AD, Student-Athlete Development & Operational Strategy
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Makena has been working with the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute since its inception during the 2018-19 academic year, and currently serves as Assistant Athletic Director – Student-Athlete Development and Operational Strategy. Her primary focus includes assisting student-athletes with their post-graduate plans. Makena oversees external relations and is responsible for the creation and implementation of new and existing programs, as well as day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Institute and its programs.

She has been with the Department of Athletics since 2014, serving as an intern for two years and Assistant Director of Camps and Clinics for three years prior to transitioning into the Leadership Institute when it was created. Since then, she has held roles as Manager of Leadership Analytics, Director of Student-Athlete Development and Leadership Analytics, and now serves as Assistant Athletic Director – Student-Athlete Development and Operational Strategy.

Makena is a former Ohio State swimmer and three-time graduate of The Ohio State University. She earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing in 2014, a Master’s Degree in Sport Management in 2015, and completed her PhD in Sport Management with a focus on Leadership Development Effectiveness in 2020.