Jasmine Holmes became part of #RetrieverNation in July 2025 as the Associate Athletic Director for Recreation & Physical Education. Through her progressive leadership experience across campus recreation and wellbeing programs, Holmes brings a powerful blend of strategic vision, inclusive programming, and vibrant energy to the Retriever community.
Holmes holds a B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish from UNC Charlotte and a M.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science from Georgia Southern University, where she began her career in collegiate recreation as a graduate assistant combining her love for sport and education to teach fitness courses and manage student involvement in club sports.
A proud advocate for access, equity, and empowerment through recreation, Holmes has risen through the ranks of recreation departments at Duke, Cornell, Central Michigan, and Syracuse University. She serves as a thoughtful leader who uplifts teams, streamlines operations, and builds sustainable programs from the ground up.
At UMBC, Holmes leads a talented team of full-time professionals and student staff across aquatics, fitness, club and intramural sports, and recreational facilities, while providing sport supervision for a designated NCAA Division I program. She also manages all aspects of the Retriever Summer Day Camp, ensuring it remains one of the region’s most engaging and enriching youth offerings.
Holmes’ influence extends far beyond the boundaries of a single campus. A recognized and dedicated leader within NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, she has served as President of the NIRSA Services Corporation Board and co-led the NIRSA Black Community Caucus. Her written and spoken contributions on social justice, volunteerism, and the evolving role of recreation professionals have been featured in national publications and at conferences across the country.
From launching new initiatives to elevating strategic partnerships, Holmes is driven by the guiding principle:Â recreation is a catalyst for connection, belonging, and growth.
