The University of Illinois Springfield Athletics Department announced today that Olivia Raya has been named the Director of Academic Support Services for Athletics.
 
"I'm incredibly excited for the wonderful opportunity to be able to work with the amazing student-athletes and coaches at UIS," said Raya. "The welcoming environment, competitive atmosphere, and amazing people are what makes UIS such an exciting place to call home. I look forward to building on the recent successes our student-athletes have had in the classroom, on the playing field, and beyond graduation.​"
 
Raya has been a TRIO Academic Coach and Coordinator of Student Engagement at Illinois College from 2018-2021. She worked with 100 first-generation, low-income, and students with documented disabilities each semester through the TRIO Student Support Services program. Through individual and collaborate work, she provided academic opportunities and motivation to help students graduate on time. Raya's work at Illinois College has helped TRIO students graduate at a higher rate than the overall student body.
 
Raya was also an assistant track and field coach for five years at Illinois College. Her throwers set 11 school records, 58 top-five finishes, 20 all-MWC showings, and five MWC Championships. One of her throwers set school history last year by becoming the first men's national qualifier in the weight throw for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Raya was an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. She coached two NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field All-American, and helped throwers set three school records and have three all-conference finishes. She also coached at Cal State Fullerton and Orange Lutheran High School.
 
Raya was a student-athlete at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in track and field. She set a program record in the hammer throw in 2009, and was a three-time captain.
 
Raya earned her Bachelors of University Studies in Physical Education and Kinesiology from UNLV in 2009. She earned a Master of Science in Education and Kinesiology from Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2015.