Jessica Goerke joined University of San Diego Athletics in August 2024 as the department’s Deputy Athletic Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Woman Administrator.
At USD, Goerke oversees the Toreros’ Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Academics, Student-Athlete Development and Compliance offices in addition to serving as the sport administrator for volleyball and baseball.
She came to San Diego from UC Santa Barbara, where she oversaw many of the day-to-day operations of the Gauchos’ department. She provided leadership and direct supervision for selected sports and administrative areas, including direct oversight over UCSB's academic and student success outcomes. Along with that, she acted as the UC Santa Barbara’s representative in various campus engagements while serving on the council of The Big West.
Goerke initially joined UC Santa Barbara Athletics in October of 2017 as the Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Services before transitioning into the role of Deputy Athletic Director and interim SWA in January of 2022.
In addition to her service to the UCSB campus, Goerke was named to two NCAA committees in 2022. She served on both the Division I Committee on Academics along with being the chair of the Men's Soccer Selection Committee.
Before landing in Santa Barbara, the North Aurora, Illinois native made stops at the University of Illinois, Georgia Tech, and the University of Akron, elevating the academic profiles of each of those institutions in her various roles.
Goerke earned a B.A in History with a minor is Secondary Education from North Central College in 2010 and received her teaching credential for the state of Illinois shortly after. In 2012, she earned a Master's in Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration from Akron. She also belongs to the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A), and has since 2012, while also serving on the Board of Directors in the role of Director of Program and Events since June 2020.
Goerke is joined in San Diego by her partner, Wes Patzkowsky, and their dog, Fleetwood Mac.
