This month the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) welcomes Tara A. Owens as Athletic Director and Anastasia Rodriguez as the Vice President for Administration and Finance.
Both join President Heidi M. Anderson’s cabinet.
Tara A. Owens, Athletic Director
Athletic Director Owens joins the campus after four successful years at Central State University in Wilberforce, OH, where she grew student-athlete enrollment by 110% and secured $2.5 million in funding for renovations to athletic facilities.
Prior to that, she was Director of Athletics at Baltimore City Community College where she was named “Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year” three times.
She has also served in various positions in athletics at Norfolk State University, Elizabeth City State University, Cheyney University, and Petersburg Public Schools.
“I am ready to deliver immediate and lasting results as the next director of athletics for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” Owens said.
President Anderson noted, “Tara’s drive, enthusiasm, and experience make her the perfect candidate for our Athletic Director. The opportunities are endless and with her on board, we’ll be ready to take our programs to the next level and keep our student-athletes soaring!”
Owens holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Virginia State University, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Cheyney University, and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Anastasia Rodriguez, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Vice President Rodriguez comes to UMES from Jacksonville State University in Alabama and brings with her 20 years of experience in federal and state funds management, cost accounting, payroll, pre-award/post-award, risk management, bond financing, and procurement.
She has increased the accuracy and time of processes on her campus and navigated through Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) and COVID expenses as Controller at JSU.
“I believe that in order to provide good fiscal stewardship, one must understand the mission and strategic goals of each area and how they align with the university’s overall strategic goals. Doing so will allow us all to be successful together,” said Rodriguez.
“With Anastasia’s extensive experience in controls, staffing, and finance, she is poised to help our university manage the significant responsibility of the HBCU funds as well as the state appropriations to better serve our campus and our students,” said Anderson. “She brings a hands-on, get-it-done approach that I appreciate that will help her get results.”
Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration, all from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The University will welcome AD Owens to campus on Sept. 6 and VP Rodriguez to campus on Sept. 26.
President Anderson is beginning her fifth year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where this year’s freshman class exceeds that of the last seven years.
