Staff Directory
Da'mon Merkerson
- Title:
- Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Culture and Engagement
- Email:
Da'Mon Merkerson has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Culture & Engagement at the University of Oregon, effective January 2025. In this expanded role, Merkerson will now oversee sports supervision for Men’s Tennis and Women’s Soccer, while continuing to lead the department’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. His new responsibilities also include training and development for both professional staff and coaches, contributing to the ongoing growth of Oregon’s athletic department.
Merkerson, a former NCAA football student-athlete and seasoned Power 5 athletics administrator, is committed to building a more inclusive and supportive environment for student-athletes and staff. During his time at Oregon, he has led efforts to distribute department and campus-wide climate surveys and developed action plans for athletic department units aimed at enhancing and improving the experience of staff. He will continue to strengthen Oregon's ongoing DEIB efforts and collaborate with campus partners to create a truly systemic and integrated approach to diversity and inclusion within the department.
Previously, Merkerson served as Associate AD for Academic & Student Success at UMass-Amherst, where he also worked as the department’s DEI Designee. He has held administrative roles at both Boston College and Temple University, following a professional football career. His leadership in DEIB programming, mentorship, and academic support has been a cornerstone of his career, and he remains dedicated to promoting an inclusive culture where all identities are valued and supported.
Merkerson is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Critical & Sociocultural Studies in Education, continuing his commitment to higher education and the advancement of inclusive practices. He remains deeply invested in championing diversity and inclusion across the athletic department and the university as a whole.
Merkerson, a former NCAA football student-athlete and seasoned Power 5 athletics administrator, is committed to building a more inclusive and supportive environment for student-athletes and staff. During his time at Oregon, he has led efforts to distribute department and campus-wide climate surveys and developed action plans for athletic department units aimed at enhancing and improving the experience of staff. He will continue to strengthen Oregon's ongoing DEIB efforts and collaborate with campus partners to create a truly systemic and integrated approach to diversity and inclusion within the department.
Previously, Merkerson served as Associate AD for Academic & Student Success at UMass-Amherst, where he also worked as the department’s DEI Designee. He has held administrative roles at both Boston College and Temple University, following a professional football career. His leadership in DEIB programming, mentorship, and academic support has been a cornerstone of his career, and he remains dedicated to promoting an inclusive culture where all identities are valued and supported.
Merkerson is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Critical & Sociocultural Studies in Education, continuing his commitment to higher education and the advancement of inclusive practices. He remains deeply invested in championing diversity and inclusion across the athletic department and the university as a whole.
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