CHICAGO (June 5, 2024) – University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) education professor Mark S. Giles will serve as the university's next NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda announced Wednesday.
 
The FAR represents the institution and its faculty in relationships with the NCAA and the Missouri Valley Conference. Internally, the representative chairs the Chancellor's Athletic Advisory Council (CAAC) and serves as a liaison with the Office of the Chancellor, the faculty community and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The FAR also plays an important strategic role in helping promote academic integrity and support institutional control of intercollegiate athletics, as well as facilitate the interaction of athletics and academics to enhance the student-athlete experience.
 
"I am delighted that Mark Giles will serve as UIC's Faculty Athletics Representative," said Chancellor Miranda. "He shares a deep commitment to the holistic well-being of our students, and he will be a strong advocate to ensure that our students will have the support, guidance and resources they need to be successful."
 
Currently serving as the chair and professor of educational policy studies in the UIC College of Education, Giles joined the UIC faculty in August 2022. His scholarship and teaching interests include 20^th century African American history, focusing on the complexities of racial dynamics and racism on Black communities, African American educational leadership (critical biographies) and Black student agency (K-12 and college/university levels), social justice-equity leadership in schools and colleges, African American spirituality, critical race studies and qualitative methodologies.
 
"I am thrilled for this opportunity to serve as the UIC Faculty Athletics Representative," Giles said. "It is an important role and I look forward to working with faculty colleagues and the UIC community to support the continued success of UIC scholar-athletes."
 
After earning his bachelor's degree in Afro-American Studies from the University of Cincinnati, Giles completed work on his master's degree in college student personnel from Miami University, and received his doctorate in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with a minor in 20^th century U.S. history, from Indiana University. He has extensive professional experiences in research, teaching and service across several universities and held multiple program and departmental level leadership positions. He has also served in diversity-focused administrative roles, worked as an academic advisor and in urban community affairs.
 
"Dr. Giles shares our commitment to the holistic development and success of scholar-athletes," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Michael Lipitz. "He also embraces the unique role of Flames Athletics as a platform to elevate all the outstanding people and excellent work across UIC. I look forward to partnering with him in service to our scholar-athletes and institution."
 
Prior to his arrival at UIC, Giles was a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) with a joint appointment in the Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies. He also served as director of UTSA's African American Studies program from 2011-14. Giles began his faculty career as an assistant professor at Miami University.
 
For more information on all 18 UIC athletics programs, visit UICFlames.com. Fans can also follow the Flames on social media through X (@UICFlames) and Instagram (@uicflames).