Bio

Jenessa (Hicks) Neal is in her third year as the assistant athletic director for enrollment strategies at The University of Olivet in 2024. She also serves as the department's Senior Woman Administrator and head women's volleyball coach.

Neal made the transition to the athletic department after serving as the associate director of admissions for four years. Prior to joining Olivet’s staff, she worked for the Target Corporation for 10.5 years, serving as a senior team lead for seven years. Through her many roles with Target, Neal developed extensive sales, customer service and leadership skills. She also spent time as the head junior varsity volleyball coach for three years, one year at Olivet High School and two years at Marshall High School. After Neal was done with coaching, she helped with high school tryouts and camps.

Neal graduated from The University of Olivet in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in special education and minors in English and physical education. She was a four-year letter winner and team captain on the women's volleyball team. As the starting setter, Neal still holds the Olivet all-time set assists record with 2,756 from 2007-10. She also has two of the top seven single-season marks, including the second-most with 1,027 set assists in 2007. Neal was selected the team's Most Valuable Player three times.

Neal resides in Marshall with her husband Jim, a 2011 Olivet gradaute. They were recently married on August 3, 2024.