Keenan Jeppesen has been appointed director of McMaster University’s Athletics and Recreation department.

A respected leader with deep roots in the McMaster and Hamilton communities, Jeppesen previously served as the associate director of Athletics, High Performance, at McMaster and most recently as associate director, administration, in Housing and Conference Services.

Prior to joining McMaster, Jeppesen held executive roles with Black Entertainment Television, Ubiquiti Inc. and the Onyx initiative, a non-profit focused on career development for Black students and recent graduates across North America.

Jeppesen was a student-athlete at both McMaster, where he holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business, and Brown University, where he received his undergraduate degree while competing for the Bears men’s basketball team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Keenan back to Athletics and Recreation in this leadership role,” says Sean Van Koughnett, associate vice-president (students and learning) and dean of students.

“His student-centred approach, university leadership experience and business acumen make him the ideal candidate to guide our athletics and recreation programs.”

Jeppesen brings a deep understanding of both athletic administration and broader student services to this role. As associate director of Athletics, he played a key role in enhancing McMaster’s high-performance programs, focusing on athlete development, coaching excellence and expanding competitive opportunities.

His recent role in Housing and Conference Services further broadened his expertise in student engagement and campus operations.

“It’s an honour to step into this role and continue my journey with McMaster Athletics and Recreation,” says Jeppesen. “I’m excited to work with our talented staff, students and community to build on our strong foundation.”

In his new role, Jeppesen will also lead McMaster’s comprehensive recreation program, which serves as a cornerstone of campus life for thousands of students, faculty and staff. In addition to his focus on overall student health and well-being, Jeppesen will champion excellence in varsity athletics, while building greater alumni engagement and cross-campus partnerships.

“Keenan has always been a major supporter of McMaster students and is someone who consistently holds the student voice and student priorities in high regard,” says Jovan Popovic, president of the McMaster Students Union.

“[We are] eager to begin a new chapter in working with Athletics and Recreation under Keenan’s guidance, and we’re excited to get to work on improving the student experience together.”

Jeppesen will officially assume his duties as director on Sept. 23.