WASHINGTON – Essence Brown has been named Director of Basketball Engagement for the Atlantic 10 Conference, Commissioner Dan Leibovitz announced on Monday.
 
In a first-of-its-kind role for the conference, Brown will serve as a visible and consistent presence on all 14 member campuses, working directly with men’s and women’s basketball coaches, student-athletes, and administrators while reinforcing the Conference’s commitment to their success. She will also provide support and assistance with all aspects of men’s and women’s basketball operations, including scheduling, conference policies, officiating logistics, and conference tournaments.
                                                                                  
“We are pleased to welcome Essence back to the A-10,” said Leibovitz. “I am thrilled for her and excited about what this role will mean for our membership. To my knowledge, no conference has someone serving in this exact capacity. While Essence will gain a comprehensive understanding of the operational aspects of men’s and women’s basketball, her primary responsibility will be building strong relationships with coaches, student-athletes, and administrators on our campuses. As a former George Washington women’s basketball student-athlete and A-10 Fellow, she understands this conference and its values, and I know our schools will welcome her with open arms as she reconnects with our basketball community.”
 
Brown comes to the Atlantic 10 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she served as an academic advisor in the athletic department. She supported more than 150 student-athletes in achieving academic and athletic excellence by providing individualized academic guidance, progress monitoring, and eligibility support.
 
After graduating from George Washington, Brown joined the A-10 as the league’s Don DiJulia Fellow in 2025, helping execute the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments while planning logistics for other large-scale events.
 
Brown made a strong impact on and off the court at GW, earning the role of team captain on the women’s basketball program. She was also selected to George Washington’s Leadership Excellence Academy, developing leadership and team-building skills through monthly training and mentorship sessions. As a student-athlete, Brown completed internships with the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Academy (NCBA), Nike Pro City Kenner League, and Citi Open.
 
Brown holds two degrees from The George Washington University: a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Brain Sciences and a Master of Science in Management.