Megan Haughey, a Rutgers alumna and deputy athletic director at Stevens Institute of Technology, has been named Rutgers University–Newark's new athletic director, Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson announced yesterday.
Haughey, who begins her role July 20, brings a record of success as both an administrator and coach, most notably as head coach of the Stevens women’s basketball program, where she became the winningest coach in program history.
"Megan Haughey’s leadership reflects the values that define Rutgers–Newark: academic excellence, competitive engagement, integrity, and innovation,'' said Smith-Jackson. "She is keenly aware of the role athletics and recreation will play in supporting scholarly achievement, research, and holistic student development."
"Her experience advancing compliance, professional development, and data-informed recruitment—while cultivating a vibrant game-day and campus culture—positions her to lead Scarlet Raider athletics and recreation with distinction and purpose,'' she added.
Since 2018, Haughey has served as Stevens deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator, a role in which she has provided executive-level leadership across all facets of the department.
As head coach at Stevens this year, Haughey compiled a 212–115 overall season record, leading the team to multiple conference championships, and guiding them to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a landmark MAC Freedom title run last year. Her teams have also been recognized for academic achievement, including earning a Top 25 team GPA ranking in Division III.
Her work has emphasized mentorship, leadership development, and creating positive, values-driven sports environments for young athletes.
“I have focused on ensuring that every student-athlete has the academic, personal, and professional support needed to thrive beyond competition,’’ said Haughey. “What draws me to Rutgers–Newark is its mission: empowering a diverse student body, enriching the local community, and leading with innovation. I am inspired by the university’s emphasis on inclusive excellence and welcome the chance to advance that mission through athletics.”
At Rutgers–Newark, Haughey will oversee the university’s NCAA Division III athletics program, working to strengthen recruitment, enhance student-athlete support, and expand community engagement while elevating the visibility and competitiveness of Scarlet Raiders athletics.
During her time at Stevens, Haughey oversaw 50 staff members and multiple varsity programs, supervised key sports including soccer, fencing, lacrosse, and golf, and directed NCAA compliance for 26 teams. She has led strategic planning initiatives aligning athletics with institutional priorities, chaired Title IX equity reviews, and partnered closely with admissions on enrollment strategy and recruitment analytics.
She also founded the “Top of the V Leadership Academy,” a comprehensive development program for team captains and student leaders.
Haughey’s national engagement includes service on NCAA committees and participation in the NCAA Senior Woman Administrator Professional Development Program and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute. In 2021, she received the Emerging Athletic Administrator Award from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, recognizing her as a rising leader in collegiate athletics.
Before transitioning into full-time athletics administration, Haughey built a distinguished career in coaching and student development. In addition to her tenure at Stevens, she has been deeply involved in youth athletics as founder of the Hunterdon Hoops program, where she has recruited, trained, and supervised dozens of coaches while managing operations, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Lafayette College and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University, with a focus on nonprofit management. She also holds a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion from Cornell University.
Earlier in her professional career, Haughey served as a school social worker and child study team member, experience that continues to inform her student-centered approach to athletics leadership. She also taught a first-year seminar at Rutgers University focused on leadership and community-building, further reflecting her commitment to education and holistic student development.
“We are delighted to welcome Megan Haughey as the new Athletic Director to the Rutgers–Newark community,'' said Corlisse Thomas, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Special Advisor to the Chancellor. "This is an exciting moment for our athletics and recreation program, and I am confident that Megan brings a record of success and leadership that will prioritize competitive and academic excellence, strengthen campus and community engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for our student‑athletes to thrive—both on and off the field.”
