The Athletic Department at Bryn Mawr College is undergoing some large shifts going into the 2025-2026 academic year, following an external review conducted on the department from the previous spring semester.
The changes mark the continuation of a transitional period which has been ongoing for the past few years. With only two head coaches that have spent more than five seasons at the college, change is not a new experience for the department.
Over the summer, Bryn Mawr announced that the Athletic’s Department would no longer be a part of the Provost Office, and has become part of the Undergraduate Dean’s Office. Tomiko Jenkins, the interim dean of the undergraduate college, said in a statement that the “transition of Athletics and Physical Education to the Undergraduate College Division will allow student-athletes direct and seamless access to these resources that promote wellness, leadership, and community,” referring to resources provided by the Undergraduate Dean’s office such as tutoring, counseling services, and academic counseling by the class deans.
Bryn Mawr also announced that Cristina Fink, former Athletics Director, would no longer be working for the college after a three year stint. Katie Tarr, who has worked as the Associate Athletics Director since 2016, will be filling in as interim athletics director until a permanent replacement is found. Dean Tomiko Jenkins did not provide further comment on the circumstances surrounding Fink’s departure.
Other staff turnover include the coach of the cross country and track and field teams, Jason Hewitt. Hewitt coached at Bryn Mawr for 15 years and also taught the course “Anything But P.E.”
The new coach, Haley Markos, is entering her 5th year of coaching at the collegiate level, following a season as the head coach at Pratt Institute, two seasons as an assistant coach at Smith College, and one season as an assistant coach at Bowdoin College.
The swim team is currently being coached by Margaret Wilman as the interim head coach following the departure of Arthur Wang. This is the second head coach change for the Bryn Mawr swim team within the past three years, as Wang took over in 2023 for Pat McDevitt, who coached the team from 2018-2013. Despite Wilman not having collegiate coaching experience, she comes with plenty of experience for competitive swimming throughout her lifetime.
Bryn Mawr’s new and improved mascot, Olympia (Olly for short) will have their debut during Owl Fest at the homecoming games on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
