A.J. Harper Joins Huntingdon Student Development Staff

Montgomery, Ala.—Huntingdon College Class of 2019 alumnus Adrian John (A.J.) Harper has joined the staff in the Office of Student Development as Director of Student Engagement and Leadership. In this role, he will oversee the College’s student clubs and organizations and will design and execute a robust array of co-curricular experiences, including campus recreation; the creation of new clubs and organizations in response to student interest; and activities that range from innovative new offerings to signature Huntingdon student traditions.

“I am thrilled to welcome A.J. back to Huntingdon,” said Dr. Anthony Leigh, senior vice president for student and institutional development and dean of students. “A.J. brings with him a deep and vested interest in and knowledge about Huntingdon student life, as well as three years of professional experience in the realm of organizing and managing people, events, and priorities. We have great plans for growth in our student life programs under his leadership.”

Mr. Harper’s most recent working experience was as director of operations for the Harvard University women’s basketball program, a position he held for the team’s 2021–2022 season. Prior to that experience, he served as ballpark operations manager and then director of operations for the Appalachian League baseball team, the Danville Otterbots, in Virginia.

A business administration major at Huntingdon, Mr. Harper was a member of the men’s lacrosse team; ran cross country; interned with the Department of Athletics; and served as a resident assistant and a Huntingdon Ambassador, among other roles. After graduating he earned a graduate degree at Averett University while completing a graduate assistantship in athletics.

“It’s so good to be back in Alabama and back at my alma mater,” said Mr. Harper. “Huntingdon has had my heart since I first stepped on campus, and I can’t wait to work with the student body and the student development team to offer a year of lively and exciting student life programming.”

Mr. Harper began his duties June 8.

Huntingdon College is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church offering more than thirty undergraduate programs of study and 21 NCAA-Division III athletic teams. Huntingdon recently added a Master of Athletic Training program, the College’s first graduate program since its founding in 1854.

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