The Metro Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board, led by Chair Shelby Dyer (Rider University Softball), Vice Chair Cassandra Ercoli (Canisius University Swimming and Diving), and Secretary/Division I National SAAC Representative Jaylyn Simon (Iona University Volleyball), is proud to introduce the Student-Athlete Spotlight, an initiative developed as part of its Beyond the Game campaign. The campaign aims to celebrate the accomplishments, experiences, and impact of Metro student-athletes beyond their athletic participation.
 
Through the Student-Athlete Spotlight, each Metro institution will have the opportunity to highlight a student-athlete who has made a meaningful impact outside of competition. Whether through community service, leadership, professional development, overcoming adversity, or other noteworthy personal accomplishments, these spotlights will showcase the individuals and experiences that make our student-athletes so much more than their sport. The initiative is scheduled to launch in late October 2026 and continue through May 2027, with designated publication dates for each Metro institution throughout the academic year.
 
Student-Athlete Spotlight:
Jenna Kirby, Making a Difference Beyond the Pool
Rider University, Women’s Swimming and Diving
Jr, Exercise Science Major, Psychology Minor

Jenna Kirby, a junior Division I swimmer at Rider University, makes an impact on campus both in and out of the pool. In addition to balancing the demands of collegiate athletics and her studies as a science major, Kirby is involved in student government, serving on the Executive Board, and works in Rider’s Admissions Office as a tour guide.

Kirby is especially proud of returning to the summer swim team that helped shape her into the person she is today, this time as its head coach. The experience allowed her to give back to a program that played a significant role in her development while helping young swimmers grow both in and out of the water.

“Growing up on that team gave me so many important experiences, and being able to return as a coach felt incredibly meaningful,” Kirby said. “It taught me how to handle complicated situations, motivate and encourage my athletes, and teach with purpose and patience.”

For Kirby, the most rewarding part of coaching was watching her swimmers develop as athletes and individuals while achieving goals they once thought were out of reach. She also gained a renewed appreciation for the sport and the lessons it can teach.

“I always told my swimmers that, in many ways, they taught me more than I taught them,” Kirby said. “They reminded me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place and taught me what it means to compete for something bigger than yourself.”

Kirby carries that same positive attitude into her role within the Rider community. As a tour guide, she helps prospective students and their families experience what makes the university special. She has also helped host recruits, creating a welcoming environment for those considering Rider. Her teammates have shared that her genuine and upbeat personality has made a lasting impression on prospective student-athletes and helped them envision themselves as part of the Broncs community.

Her involvement in student government has provided additional opportunities to bring people together. Kirby has helped organize campus events, including a friendship bracelet and slime night that encouraged students to connect and build new friendships. She also participated in a Thanksgiving card-making initiative, inviting students to create cards for residents of a local nursing home before delivering them to the community.

Kirby’s Rider journey reflects the importance of taking a chance on yourself. After visiting campus, she quickly recognized Rider as a place where she could grow academically and personally. Although the university was not initially recruiting her athletically, Kirby took the initiative to email Coach Fletch, sharing her swimming times and information about herself as a student. That outreach helped open the door to the recruiting process, including an opportunity to visit campus. Following her visit, Kirby knew Rider was somewhere she could see herself succeeding both in the classroom and in the pool. She ultimately earned a scholarship to swim for the Broncs.

Now a junior, Kirby continues to make the most of that opportunity while giving back to the university and the sport that have shaped her. Through her leadership, mentorship and welcoming personality, she exemplifies the positive impact a student-athlete can have on a campus community.