As Temple’s faculty athletics representative, Reinhardt will report directly to the president and is the president’s senior advisor outside of the Athletics Department on matters related to intercollegiate athletics. She will also help advise the athletics director.

Jessica S. Reinhardt, professor of practice in the Department of Psychological Studies in Education within Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), has been appointed the university’s faculty athletics representative (FAR). She will begin her term on Sept. 1. She succeeds Elizabeth Taylor, who departed Temple earlier this summer to pursue a new opportunity at the University of Wisconsin. 

It is the FAR’s responsibility to help ensure the academic integrity of Temple’s intercollegiate athletics program, facilitate institutional control of athletics and enhance the student-athlete experience. The FAR seeks to maintain balance between academics and athletics for the benefit of the student-athletes and serves as the representative of Temple and its faculty to the NCAA and the American Athletic Conference (AAC). At Temple, The FAR reports directly to the president and is the president’s senior advisor outside of the Athletics Department on matters related to intercollegiate athletics. The FAR also advises the athletics director.  

“There were several highly qualified individuals who were extremely enthusiastic about this position, and I am grateful to all of our talented faculty members who applied to this position,” Temple President John Fry said. “Jessica’s deep expertise in mental health, especially as it relates to young people, led to her emerging as the top candidate. 

“Our student-athletes are under incredible pressure, as they work to navigate the ever-changing complexities of intercollegiate athletics. Jessica is the ideal individual to assist them as they maneuver through this environment, and I am delighted to work more closely with her moving forward,” Fry added. 

Reinhardt is a nationally certified school psychologist and licensed psychologist. She is the coordinator of the school psychology program in CEHD, her professional expertise has focused the mental health of children and adolescents, culturally responsive counseling in schools, trauma conscious teaching and consultation and assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders. 

“I am honored to serve as Temple’s new FAR, a role that combines my love of athletics with my passion for supporting students,” Reinhardt said. “I’m excited to get started. Go Owls!” 

Reinhardt is also known to be an outstanding teacher in the classroom. Just this spring, she received the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence in General Education for her work in general education courses such as AOD 0836 Interpersonal Communication and EDUC 0819 Teens and Tweens. She teaches across graduate and undergraduate programs with a focus on clinical training, culturally responsive practices and mentorship. 

Reinhardt is also involved outside of Temple within professional organizations, as she serves as president-elect of the American Psychological Association Division 16. And she was a student-athlete at her alma mater, American University. 

“Dr. Reinhardt is an outstanding addition to our team and will bring tremendous perspective to the Faculty Athletics Representative role,” Vice President and Stanley and Debbie Lefkowitz ’65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson said. “Her commitment to student-athlete well-being and success and her understanding of the academic and personal challenges they face will be incredibly valuable. I look forward to partnering with her.” 

In addition to her new role as the university’s FAR, Reinhardt will continue to serve as a faculty member within CEHD. Former president and current Chancellor Richard Englert chaired a search advisory committee, which included representatives from the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Temple Athletics and the faculty, that led to her appointment.