Ellen Cook

In 2022, Ellen Cook was named the Director of Student Development for Virginia Athletics. She previously worked as the director of community engagement since October of 2018. She formerly served as an operations assistant for the Virginia football program, where her primary responsibility was managing the Thursday’s Heroes program.

In her current role, Cook coordinates community engagement opportunities for all varsity athletic teams. She provides guidance on how to best engage student-athletes with service projects throughout Charlottesville. She also acts as primary liaison to external partners to better serve the needs of the surrounding community.

Cook earned her bachelor’s degree in media studies and psychology from Virginia. During her undergraduate years, she was a football student worker in the video office where she edited practice and game film for players and coaches. After graduating, Cook completed her master’s in higher education from UVA’s Curry School of Education in 2017.