Nicole Corcoran

Bio

Nicole Corcoran joined Kansas Athletics as Chief of Staff to the Athletics Director in February 2009. In 2011, Corcoran was named Director of Operations, and in 2014 she was promoted to Associate Athletics Director – Operations. She was named Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator in July 2017. In a re-organization January 2019, Corcoran was promoted to Executive Associate Athletics Director and was later named Deputy Athletics Director for Sports Administration and Student-Athlete Well-Being/SWA in 2021.

Corcoran represents KU as the Senior Woman Administrator with the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference. Corcoran is the Title IX contact for the athletics department and works closely with the KU Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. In 2023, she was designated as a University Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Corcoran leads the sport administrator group; provides administrative oversight for KU’s women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s golf, softball and tennis programs, and works with all 16 sports on student-athlete conduct and accountability.

She serves as the liaison with Kansas Team Health, the partnership created with The University of Kansas Health Systems and LMH Health, responsible for the health of KU’s student-athletes.  A number of key areas report through Corcoran, including the student-athlete development unit, also known as KU LEADS, Human Resources, Inclusive Excellence, and Engagement and Outreach.

Corcoran came to KU after serving as Press Secretary and Communications Director for Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius from 2002 to 2009. She also served as the Communications Director and Spokesperson for Governor Sebelius’ two gubernatorial election campaigns. Corcoran was the Public Information Director for Sebelius from 1999 to 2001, while Sebelius served as state Insurance Commissioner.

Corcoran graduated from Washburn University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a public relations emphasis. Following graduation she worked in the Community Relations/Marketing Department at Stormont-Vail HealthCare in Topeka before joining the Insurance Commissioner’s office.

In 2005, Corcoran was named outstanding alumnus by the Washburn University Mass Media Department.

Corcoran is a member of Women Leaders in College Sports. She currently serves as a member of the Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters State Board of Directors and is also active in Douglas County BBBS, including serving as a Big Sister in the program.