Jessica Brown

Dr. Jessica Brown (Dr. JB), Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics

North Central College

Dr. JB is the vice president for student affairs and athletics at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. In her role, she leads all efforts related to student life, including partnering with others across campus to build and strengthen an inclusive and engaged community, and ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive at North Central College and beyond. Dr. JB oversees an athletics department that features 26 varsity level sports and is one of the winningest athletics programs in NCAA Division III history with 43 team national championships.

Prior to North Central, Dr. JB was dean of student services, engagement, and leadership at Eureka College in Eureka, Ill., where she also served as Title IX coordinator, head women’s volleyball coach and senior woman administrator.

A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Dr. JB earned her bachelor of science degree in recreation, health and human development from Western Michigan University, where she was a four-year starter on the women’s volleyball team. She received her master of education degree from Concordia-Portland University in educational leadership, and earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration from Illinois State University. Her research focuses on DI mid-major athletic departments and are they anti-Black spaces for former Black female DI student-athletes. 

Dr. JB enjoys serving as a mentor to Black women and girls.