Jen Tymkew enters her first year as Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Sport Performance at Oakland University in July 2025.
Tymkew remains in the Horizon League after working in the Youngstown State athletics department from 2021 to 2025. She began her tenure with the Penguins as associate athletics director and director of athletic training services and was elevated to senior associate athletics director for integrated health care and performance in 2023.
During her time at YSU, she oversaw the sports medicine, performance nutrition, strength and conditioning, and sports science units, while also playing a key role in cross-campus initiatives involving student-athlete mental health and wellness. In collaboration with the dean of students and campus counseling services, Tymkew helped elevate YSU’s holistic care model for student-athletes.
Her leadership extended beyond health care, as she served as sport supervisor for the volleyball and lacrosse programs. In November 2023, Tymkew was promoted to senior associate AD, reflecting her wide-ranging impact across the department.
Before her time at YSU, Tymkew spent 12 years with the Northwestern University sports medicine department, where she managed health care for the men’s basketball team and played a key role in staff development and implementation of the Smartabase medical documentation system. She also facilitated research efforts and innovative approaches in sports medicine.
Prior to Northwestern, she began her career at Eastern Illinois University, where she worked with the football, women’s basketball, softball and volleyball programs.
Tymkew earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University in 2002 and a master’s degree while serving as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the University of Kentucky softball program.
Her addition strengthens the academic support and performance infrastructure at Oakland and reflects a continued investment in the holistic development of Golden Grizzlies student-athletes and their pursuit of excellence on and off the field.
