NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Athletic Department has announced the promotion of Trajuan Briggs as its new Academic Counselor and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development, made official by Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Services and Senior Woman Administrator Kirsten Elleby on Friday.
 
Briggs has been with the UNO program since August 2020 and previously served as the eligibility and academic specialist with compliance. The move is yet another investment that the department has made to continue to enhance the student-athlete experience at the University of New Orleans.
 
"Trajuan has been an exemplary member of our team since he arrived on the Lakefront last August," Elleby said. "His professionalism and authentic connections with our student-athletes made it a no-brainer to promote him into the full-time role of Academic Counselor and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development."
 
"His experience, skillset and dedicated work with our Privateers 4 Equality program make him a huge asset for our department, especially as we expand into the new NIL era and prepare our student-athletes for life after sports," Elleby added. "I am beyond pleased that we can continue to have him making an impact as a member of #NOLAsTeam."
 
"Since arriving at UNO, it has always been and will continue to be about making an impact in these student-athletes' lives," an excited Briggs said. "I appreciate the trust Tim and Kirsten has instilled in me when it comes to academic advising, student-athlete development and Privateers 4 Equality. The goal is to develop our student-athletes beyond the field or court and be successful individuals in whatever they choose to pursue after their athletic careers are over. I look forward to us making our mark in the state of Louisiana and the Southland Conference."
 
In his new role, Briggs will provide academic counseling, coordinating and implementing study hall, tutoring and individual meetings for assigned teams, and coordinating life skills, career development and the Privateer community outreach programming for the department. He also will continue to work with the Privateers 4 Equality program, the school's student-ran social justice committee.
 
Prior to arriving on the Lakefront, Briggs worked as a research and development coordinator with Prime U and was chief of staff of the graduate and professional student association, director of the Lobo Leadership Academy and a senior academic advisor at his alma mater at the University of New Mexico. He also served as a graduate assistant on the Lobos football team from 2016-17. 

Briggs earned both his bachelor's in university studies and communications and master's of science in sports administration from the University of New Mexico. He was also a member of the university's football program during his time as a student.