Gannon Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development and Compliance Assistant Cristina Czyrka has announced her resignation to become the Assistant Director of Academic and Student Services at NCAA Division I Duquesne University.
 
At Duquesne, Czyrka will work with the men's basketball, men's tennis, and women's tennis teams. She will be an academic advisor in charge of making sure student-athletes make progress toward a degree, and ensure that student-athletes stay eligible while working with those who are at academic risk.
 
"We appreciate Cristina's dedication to enhancing the student-athlete experience and overall contributions to our department," said Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk. "Whether serving as the advisor of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, working with our campus and community partners to implement diverse and impactful programming, or providing academic support – Cristina made a positive impact.  We wish Cristina all the best as she embarks upon the next chapter of her career."
 
Czyrka is a Michigan native who was a swimmer at the University at Buffalo. She received her bachelor's degree in health and human services and then earned her master's degree of education college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2020.
 
She started with Gannon in 2021 as the Coordinator of Student Athlete Development and Compliance Assistant and was in charge of many student development activities, including Life Skills workshop. She served as the advisor to SAAC and assisted students at academic risk.
 
"During my almost three years at Gannon, I learned a lot about my profession and student development," Czyrka said. "I liked getting to work with many of our student-athletes in different capacities – from daily meetings with students to traveling with teams for NCAA tournaments. I am excited to start working at Duquesne working with a new team of staff members and new student populations."