Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio - Senior Assistant Director – Football Academic Success - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio

Title:
Senior Assistant Director – Football Academic Success
Email:

Fithian-Giantonio joined Massachusetts Athletics in February 2023 as an Academic Counselor for Football. She works primarily with the Defensive Line, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Quarterbacks and Special Teams.

Prior to joining UMass, Fithian-Giantonio served as the Assistant Director of Academic and Student Services at Duquesne University. At Duquesne, Fithian-Giantonio worked with the Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs. She continuously monitored academic progress to ensure student-athletes met the standards set by the A-10 Conference and the NCAA.

Before Duquesne, Fithian-Giantonio served as an Assistant Athletic Academic Counselor at The Ohio State University where she oversaw the educational progress and advancement of at-risk student-athletes. She worked closely with the Men’s Basketball, Men's Golf, Women's Gymnastics, Women’s Ice Hockey, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Swimming, Women’s Soccer, and Women’s Lacrosse teams. She provided athletes with academic support by scheduling tutoring and mentoring sessions and assisting Academic Counselors in the NCAA and Big Ten eligibility certification process. She also worked within Student-Athlete Development and oversaw the student group Global Buckeyes and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Prior to Ohio State, Fithian-Giantonio served as an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Wesleyan University. She administered the daily operations of a Division III NESCAC basketball program by coordinating practices and game day operations for the team. She organized team travel as well as created and executed all recruiting communications. Fithian-Giantonio also oversaw the student group Hope Happens Here, bringing awareness to mental health.

Prior to Wesleyan University, Fithian-Giantonio served as an intern in the Football Equipment Room at the University of Massachusetts. Fithian-Giantonio prepared and distributed equipment to the players, such as travel gear, and provided support for the players to prepare for their games.

Fithian-Giantonio earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, double majoring in Sport Management and International Business from Nichols College in 2019 before earning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Social Sciences from Wesleyan University in 2021.