Dr. Breanna Shamaila (formerly Robinson) was named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Sport Administration at the University of Illinois in August, 2021. 

“We are extremely excited to be adding Dr. Breanna Robinson to our Fighting Illini family,” UI Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. “As a member of our executive staff, Bre will lead our growing and increasingly focused efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She will also provide administrative oversight to several of our sport programs, coaches, and student-athletes. Bre is a rising star in our industry, and we were impressed during the interview process with her passion, thoughtfulness, and leadership capacity. Her background and experience, energy, and values will make her an invaluable leader for Illinois Athletics.”

Robinson will provide departmental leadership in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion for both student-athletes and DIA staff. She will also maintain sport administration and oversight duties for multiple sport programs as a member of DIA’s 10-person executive staff.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Robinson joined the Fighting Illini athletics staff after serving Miami University in several roles since 2017, most recently as Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Advocacy & Student-Athlete Success. She also served as Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership & Diversity, Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Academic and Eligibility Services.

Robinson also spent time as an academic coordinator for men’s basketball and women’s volleyball at Georgia Tech from 2011-13, and as assistant athletic director and admissions director at Toledo Central Catholic High School from 2013-17. She started her athletics career at Miami in 2009 as an academic coach and supplemental instruction workshop graduate assistant, then as an academic coordinator/learning specialist for intercollegiate athletics during the 2010-11 school year.

While a student at Miami, Robinson participated as a member of the Miami softball team and earned her Bachelor of Science in health and sport studies in 2008. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Redhawks and was a member of the 2005 MAC Championship softball team. Robinson still sits atop several Miami categories for single-season marks, including for home runs (11, tied with two others) and runs-batted-in (51). She ranks in the top 10 in program history in both categories. Robinson later earned her Master of Science from Miami in exercise and health studies. She successfully defended her dissertation in June of 2021 and received her Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from Bowling Green State in August, 2021.