As a student and as a professional, Tori Thompson has served Northwestern State University in a variety of roles.

Thompson added another to her resume Thursday as she has been hired as the director of marketing and digital media for NSU athletics.

Thompson’s hiring is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System, which includes Northwestern State.

“Tori brings a wide range of experience and a passion for Northwestern State athletics that I believe will prove beneficial to our department as well as our fans,” Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/Senior Woman Administrator Dr. Haley Taitano said.

“As a graduate assistant, Tori took on every marketing assignment with enthusiasm and wasn’t afraid to bring new, creative ideas to the table, even in her early days on the job. It’s always nice to hire an NSU grad, especially someone as well-connected on our campus and in our community as Tori. We are really looking forward to having her back on our team.”

Thompson, a 2015 NSU graduate in business administration, spent the 2015-16 academic year as an athletics marketing associate and graduate assistant in the NSU athletic department. She then served as Northwestern State’s out-of-state recruiter during the 2016-17 academic year.

In her recruiting role, Thompson worked primarily in her home state of Texas, visiting high schools throughout the state to recruit potential students, to market Northwestern State and to help build brand awareness for the university.

During her year in the athletic department, Thompson was an integral part of the marketing and promotions staff.

Thompson planned and directed a pair of long-running basketball fundraisers – the Gumbo and Chili cook-offs – while also helping to implement the student tailgate experience at home football games. Thanks to Thompson’s promotional efforts, the 2015 soccer opener produced the highest attendance in program history.

She implemented and executed promotional plans for soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. Additionally, Thompson helped manage the marketing staff while the department transitioned between directors.

“Tori undertook a high level of responsibility as a student and graduate assistant for an entire sports year in the not too distant past and handled the ebb and flow of her duties steadily and with a high level of energy,” Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “That same passion — which, in part, will come naturally as an NSU graduate — will be an asset to her as she steps into this full-time role. The fact Tori is already involved in the Natchitoches community and is engaged with the NSU alumni base will further make her an asset to the NSU athletic program.”

Thompson, Northwestern State’s 2012 Miss Lady of the Bracelet, currently is pursuing a master’s degree in sport administration from NSU.