The Knight Commission, founded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 1989, is an independent group that leads transformational change to prioritize college athletes’ education, health, safety and success. The commission has a track record of influencing critical NCAA policies, including in its recent report, “Transforming the NCAA D-I Model,” proposing major governance changes to collegiate athletics.

“The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics was founded on an unwavering commitment to the well-being of student-athletes,” said Olian. “The commission has worked tirelessly throughout the past 30-plus years to support the education and graduation rates of student-athletes, shaping policies guiding collegiate athletics throughout the country. I’m honored to serve with my fellow commissioners in this pivotal time of transformation in the governance of college sports.”

In addition to Olian, Dr. Kimberly Harmon, a team physician at the University of Washington and a professor at the University of Washington Medical School, and Amy Huchthausen, former commissioner of the America East Conference, were selected as commission members. Pamela Bernard, vice president and general counsel of Duke University, will join Len Elmore and Arne Duncan as a co-chair of the Knight Commission.

“The appointment of these four highly accomplished leaders from higher education and college athletics who bring a variety of expertise is both welcomed and needed,” Duncan said. “I look forward to partnering with all four of them as we advance our mission to promote transformational change that prioritizes the education, health, safety and success of college athletes.”

Since July 2018, Olian has served as president of Quinnipiac, an institution with approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, eight professional schools, a College of Arts and Sciences, and 21 Division I athletic teams. The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, attraction of diverse communities, development of innovative corporate partnerships, and construction of an ambitious set of capital projects. Among its distinctions are the Quinnipiac University Poll, deep and broad excellence across the health sciences, and graduates who achieve among the very best employment outcomes in the country.

In July, Olian will also become the chairperson of the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference – the MAAC – of which Quinnipiac is a member. Before joining Quinnipiac, Olian served as dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management and John E. Anderson Chair in Management, following leadership and faculty roles at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland.