Paine College Named Andrea Riley Athletic Director

The college introduced the new leader during a special campus event featuring a Super Bowl champion.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in People

A historic red brick academic building on a tree-lined campus path in Augusta, Georgia, bathed in afternoon sunlight.
Paine College in Augusta has officially introduced Andrea Riley as the institution's new athletic director during a recent campus event. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Paine College in Augusta has officially introduced Andrea Riley as its new athletic director. The announcement took place alongside a visit from two-time Super Bowl champion Arnold Harrison II.

Why it matters

The appointment marks a new chapter for the athletic department at the Augusta institution. Riley brings a unique perspective as a former student who previously attended Paine College before finishing her education at Albany State University.

Guest Arnold Harrison II holds two Super Bowl championship rings. Andrea Riley is a former Paine College student who completed her degree after transferring to Albany State University.

The players

Andrea Riley

She is the new athletic director at Paine College who previously attended the school as a student.

Arnold Harrison II

He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and the son of a Paine College alumnus.

Paine College

This is a private, historically Black college located in Augusta, Georgia.

The details

Paine College hosted the event to welcome Riley and facilitate a session with students featuring Arnold Harrison II, who has personal ties to the school as the son of an alumnus. The introduction highlights the institution's ongoing focus on athlete mentorship and leadership.

Timeline

  1. October 7, 2026: Paine College held an event introducing Andrea Riley as athletic director.

Market Landscape

The transition in leadership follows the historical leadership structure of the Paine College athletic department. This move positions the college to refine its internal operations and student-athlete engagement strategies.

Students and faculty can expect a shift in how the athletic department interacts with the campus community. These administrative changes often influence the future of school sports funding and local event programming.

The takeaway

The appointment of a familiar face to the athletic director role suggests a move toward strengthening institutional bonds. Stakeholders should watch for how this leadership change impacts future athletic department outreach and program development.

Further reading

For more on local leadership changes, visit our People section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WJBF News Channel 6.

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Should colleges prioritize hiring their own alumni to lead athletic departments?