Meredith H. Jenkins, born on February 6, 1970, passed away on November 13, 2021. She was a native of Melbourne Beach, FL. She was preceded in death by her brother, Fletcher Heins. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Russ Jenkins; son, Alex; and daughter, Aiden. She is also survived by her parents, Robert and Rhonda Heins, sisters, Tracy Heins and Leslie Heins.
Meredith served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at California State University, Fresno since 2018 where she oversaw and managed the responsibilities for the internal units, while also coordinating university governance.
A graduate of Florida State University, Meredith began her 24 year career at Auburn University in 1994. She started her career as an Assistant Media Relations Director, and she retired in 2018 as Executive Associate Athletics Director and Senior Women’s Administrator. Meredith was the first female in the Southeastern Conference to serve as primary contact for a football program. Highlights of her career include sports leadership or administration for 20 of Auburn’s 21 sports; leading efforts to build Auburn’s Wellness Kitchen; and starting the Auburn WINGS program (Women Inspiring and Nurturing Greatness in Student-Athletes). This first of its kind program focuses on elevating women’s athletics and female student athletes.
During her tenure at Auburn, Meredith served on the NCAA Division I Soccer Committee, serving two terms as its chair, and on numerous SEC committees, including the executive committee. Meredith was named Auburn University’s Woman of Distinction in 2010 and named as the 2014 Pamela Wells Sheffield Award recipient.
On July 29, 2021, Meredith received the Key to the City of Auburn on a day Auburn Athletics named the Executive and Senior Associate Athletics Directors office suite, which is in the Auburn Athletic Complex, in her honor as the “Meredith H. Jenkins Office Suite”. The day was also declared “Meredith H. Jenkins Day” in the city of Auburn.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Tigers Unlimited Foundation for Meredith Jenkins Endowed Fund for Excellence for WINGS. The address is: http://alumniq.auburn.edu/giving/to/MeredithJenkins There is also a memorium page on the WINGS website as well. The address is: http://tigersunlimited.com/sports/2019/5/8/wings.aspx
Meredith requested that those who are willing, to share a story, fun adventure, excursion, etc. in a note to her children so they may have an opportunity to get to know Meredith as more than just “Mom”. Those who would like to share these anecdotes with Alex and Aiden are welcome to send their notes to [email protected] .
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