KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Join WMU Athletics and the WMU Office of Diversity and Inclusion for a 'Real Talk' panel on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m.
This Women's History Month panel will be part of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, and feature prominent WMU Women in Sports.
Panelists will include Kathy Beauregard (former WMU gymnastics coach and Athletic Director), Jessica Brown - (VP for Student Affairs & Athletics, North Central College - WMU Volleyball Alum), Becky Horn - (AAU Track & Field Coach - WMU Track & Field Alum & 3x All American), Shayna Sangster (Director of Marketing, Indiana Fever - WMU Track & Field Alum) and Justina Phillips (AAU Track & Field Coach WMU Track & Field Alum)
The event is open to anyone at WMU and free to participate, and attendees can join the online
WebEx meeting here.
- Meeting link:
- https://wmich.webex.com/wmich/j.php?MTID=me7085491700a2e8775060b81652e7ce6
- Meeting number:
- 2622 467 6122
- Password:
- haPr3Mpu4W3
About the Panelists:
Kathy Beauregard is the former director of athletics for Western Michigan University. She previously served as an associate athletic director at Western Michigan University from 1989 to 1997, and as women's gymnastics head coach at Western Michigan University from 1980 to 1988. Beauregard graduated from Hope College with a bachelor's degree in 1979, and from Western Michigan University with a master's degree in 1981. Beauregard's hiring of football coach P. J. Fleck in 2013 propelled the Broncos football team to its greatest successes in program history, culminating in a 13-1 record in 2016 and berth in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.lfillfil Beauregard retired as athletic director at Western Michigan on December 31, 2021.
Jessica Brown 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. Jessica oversees an athletics department that features 27 varsity level sports and is one of the winningest athletics programs in NCAA Division Ill history with 40 team national championships.
Prior to North Central, Jessica 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., Jessica 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 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration at Illinois State University.
Becky Hom is a merchandising account manager for a manufacturer that specializes in fabric and finish goods called Asian American Partners in Little Rock, Arkansas and is also a coach for an AA U Track & field team in Arkansas.
A native of Battle Creek, Mich., Becky earned received her bachelor's degree in Textile & Apparel Studies/merchandise and design from Western Michigan University, and also competed for the Bronco track & field team. Horn is a three-time USTFCCCA All-American, earning the honors during the indoor seasons in 2007 and 2008 and outdoors in 2008, all in the 800m run. She totaled 17 Mid American Conference titles as an eight-time individual MAC title winner (two each in
indoor/outdoor 400m dash and 800m run) and a nine-time MAC title winner as part of the 4x400m and 4x 100m relays, while being selected as a First-Team All-MAC honoree six times.
Justina Phillips, native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University where she obtained her bachelor's and master's degree in Criminology while competing on the Track & Field team. During her time at WMU, she received various accolades including Rookie of the Year, Coaches Awards, Mid-American Conference First Team Honors (400 meters), and The Kathy Beauregard Internship Scholarship.
Phillips started her professional career as an Athletic Academic Advisor with WMU. Shortly thereafter she pursued the field of criminal justice and currently serves as a Supervisory Federal Officer in the Northern District of Ohio.
In Phillips spare time she serves as a coach for the local Amateur Athletic Union Track and Field team and Ypsilanti Community Recreation Department.
Shayna Sangster, a Lansing, Michigan native, is a graduate of Western Michigan University (BA) and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (MBA) and is on the Board of the Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School and Women in Sports & Events (WISE).
Sangster is in her eighth season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment as the Director of Marketing for the WNBA's Indiana Fever. She oversees the Fever's brand strategy, advertising and marketing campaigns, as well as fan engagement initiatives for the Indiana Pacers. While at PS&E, Sangster founded the organization's Women's Network and has been a leader in building opportunities for women in sports through mentorship, local non-profits and programs such as the Marcus Graham Project. Prior to her time at PS&E, Shayna worked on the High-Performance team at USA Track & Field overseeing Coaching Education Programs, building strategy and managing events such as the Friends & Family Program for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
