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CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2021. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.
Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light – Dominican College, Associate Director of Athletics/SWA/Director of Sports Information
by John Tagliaferri – Caldwell University, Director of Athletic Media Relations
Since 2003,
Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light has served at Dominican College, a NCAA Division II institution in Orangeburg, NY, 17 miles north of New York City. She was promoted to associate director of athletics in 2009. She currently holds that role along with serving as Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and Director of Sports Information.
Committee work is a priority for Di Giulio Light. During her time at Dominican, she has served and serves on nine different conference and NCAA regional and national committees. In 2018, Di Giulio Light was appointed Chair of the CACC SID Council and as a Vice-Chair for the CACC Festival Committee.
A 2002 graduate of Ramapo College with a bachelor's of arts degree in public communications where she was a four-year softball team member and three-year captain, while also working in the SID office. She then earned a Master’s degree in 2010 in sport leadership from Northeastern University.
Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light with her husband, Adam.
Talk about holding the Senior Woman Administrator leadership role in your department; how do your responsibilities as a SWA affect or influence your communications role?
KL: The SWA is an important designation not only at Dominican College, but also in the NCAA and in our conference, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and the 14 institutions in our conference. I have been privileged to have the SWA designation and responsibilities. I believe that serving as the Director of Sports Information and as our Senior Woman Administrator has helped me build trusted relationships not only with my student-athletes, but also with the athletic department staff and across the Dominican College Community as well.
What is one key professional development skill for athletic communications professionals to master?
KL: I think a professional development skill that is important for SIDs is the ability to be flexible. Things can, and do, change on a whim for SIDs due to a variety of issues (i.e. weather, location change, technology issues) and we need to have the ability to adapt to any situation.
Can you name your biggest career successes to date?
KL: My biggest career success to date was hosting a nationally televised game against Nyack College back in 2011. It was on CBS and I was the point person for all things related to the game. It was a long and stressful day for me, but it was a great experience for all the student-athletes, students, coaches and fans.
You’ve gotten heavily involved in committee work. What does it mean to serve as the CACC SID Chair and work with ADs on various committees?
KL: One of the biggest honors of my career was being elected as the SID Chair for our CACC conference. I was very honored that my colleagues felt I was worthy of the position. It is very important to me to be an advocate for them and represent their best interests to the conference office and on the CACC Director's Council.
Having been in my multi-role position at Dominican for almost 20 years now, I have had the honor of interacting with all of the AD's in the CACC and it has been extremely educational and beneficial for my career.
Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light with her dog, Gracie.
What advice do you have for young professionals looking to start their careers in the athletic communications field?
KL: The best advice I can give to anyone who want to be in athletic communications is to make sure to make time for yourself and your self-care. For instance, I pick one night a week during the academic year where I do not do
any work at home. I also take some time every day for myself.
Outside of work, what would we find you doing?
KL: Spending time with my dog, Gracie, reading and watching movies or going to the beach.