ARLINGTON, Texas -- Megan Kassabian has been tabbed student development specialist in the athletics academic services department, it was announced on Tuesday.

"I am excited to return to my hometown to be a part of the UT Arlington Athletics Staff," Kassabian said. "As someone who grew up around Maverick athletics, it has been exciting to see the program grow and succeed both athletically and academically. I believe this is an exciting time for Maverick student-athletes, and I look forward to working with them as they pursue their academic, athletic and career goals."

Kassabian joins the UTA staff most recently from the NCAA offices in Indianapolis, Ind., where she focused on Membership Affairs, a branch of the NCAA that oversees the waivers and interpretations. Kassabian brings great experience in collegiate athletics, playing women's basketball at the University of New Orleans before completing her graduate degree at the University of North Texas.

She is no stranger to UTA, serving as an intern in the Mavericks athletics administration while working on her graduate degree at UNT.

"Megan is an excellent addition to our team of Student Development Specialists," UTA Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student Welfare Debbie Garcia said. "She is a former Division I student-athlete, an experienced academic advisor and has several years of experience in eligibility and certification which she gained at the NCAA offices in Indianapolis. She will absolutely enhance the great things that our staff is doing to provide our student-athletes leadership and guidance as they pursue their chosen degrees at UTA. Megan checks every box for us: she is qualified and committed to developing our student-athletes academically, professionally and personally."