Paine College Names Andrea G. Riley, M.Ed., as Director of Athletics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Office of the President | Paine College | Augusta, Georgia | 706.821.8200
AUGUSTA, GA – Paine College proudly announces the appointment of Andrea G. Riley, M.Ed. as its new Director of Athletics, effective July 1, 2026. A native of Augusta, Georgia, former Lady Lion student-athlete, accomplished coach, and respected educational leader, Riley returns to her alma mater with more than two decades of experience in athletic leadership, coaching, administration, and student development.
Mrs. Riley’s appointment marks a homecoming to the institution where her collegiate athletic journey began. As a member of the Paine College Lady Lions Basketball Team during the 1994-1995 season, she experienced firsthand the transformative impact of HBCU athletics-a foundation that has shaped her commitment to developing student-athletes academically, athletically, and personally.
“Andrea Riley embodies the values and mission of Paine College,” said Dr. Lester A. McCorn, President of Paine College. “She understands the life-changing impact of HBCU athletics because she has lived it. Her passion for student success, proven leadership, and commitment to excellence make her the ideal person to lead Lion Athletics into its next chapter.”
Following her time at Paine, Riley continued her athletic career at Albany State University, competing as a member of both the Lady Rams Basketball and Track & Field teams. She has since established herself as one of the region’s most respected coaches and athletic administrators.
A nationally certified track and field professional, Mrs. Riley holds USATF Level I, II, III, and IAAF Level 5 Certifications, among the highest credentials in the sport. She also maintains USA Weightlifting Level I and SAFE Sport certifications and was a member of the inaugural cohort of USATF Level I Certified Instructors. Throughout her coaching career, she has developed more than 20 athletes who rank among the all-time top performers for their respective programs.
At the collegiate level, Riley served as a volunteer sprint coach at the University of South Carolina a Beaufort, where her student-athletes earned All-American honors and NAIA Conference Championships.
Her leadership experience extends beyond coaching. During nearly a decade as Coach and Athletic Administrator for the track and field program at Evans High School, Riley managed scheduling, recruiting, budgeting, compliance, and overall program operations while building a culture of excellence. She has also coached basketball at both the junior varsity and varsity levels, leading her team to a Junior Varsity Girls Championship during the 2022-2023 season.
Academically, Riley brings an equally impressive record of achievement. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Albany State University, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University, and a Master of Education in Instruction from Central Michigan University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at South Carolina State University, concentrating on institutional leadership, program development, and higher education administration.
Her academic and research experience also includes graduate research at the University of Georgia’s School of Pharmacology and service as a Graduate Researcher within the Infectious Disease Department at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“I am deeply honored to return home to Paine College,” said Riley. “Paine helped shape my life as a student-athlete, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the institution that gave so much to me. I look forward to working alongside our coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and upporters to build a championship culture rooted in academic excellence, integrity, servant leadership, and the proud traditions of Lion Athletics.”
-Andrea G. Riley, M.Ed.
As Director of Athletics, Riley will oversee all aspects of the College’s intercollegiate athletics program, with a strategic focus on student-athlete success, competitive excellence, program development, fiscal stewardship, recruitment, alumni engagement, and strengthening Paine’s presence within the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and beyond.
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Georgia Association of Educators, and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Mrs. Riley remains deeply engaged in the Augusta community. She and her husband, Deacon Tyson 0. Riley, Sr., are the proud parents of four accomplished children. With her wealth of experience, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to student-athlete development, Andrea G. Riley returns to Paine College prepared to lead Lion Athletics into an exciting new era of excellence.
About Paine College
Paine College is a historically Black liberal arts institution located in Augusta, Georgia. Founded in 1882 through a partnership between the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Paine College is dedicated to providing a liberal arts education of the highest quality- emphasizing academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development. For more information, visit www.paine.edu.