Katie Nickitas has been appointed head diving coach for the University of Vermont’s swimming and diving program, a move that brings a former Catamount athlete back to the campus she once called home.
During her collegiate career from 2005 to 2008, Nickitas helped shape the team’s competitive spirit, and after earning a double major in Liberal Arts and Gender Studies from Rutgers University in 2023, she completed a Master of Social Work with a focus on Integrated Practice and Programming at Columbia University in May 2025.
In a statement released by the university, Nickitas said she is eager to return to lead the Catamount Divers and is confident that the program will enjoy a successful season under her guidance.
A Strategic Return
The university’s leadership emphasized the strategic value of appointing a coach who combines deep program knowledge with a fresh perspective from the field of social work.
Gerry Cournoyer, a longtime figure within the athletics department, will continue to support the team’s development alongside the new coaching leadership.
Nickitas’s appointment reflects the university’s commitment to integrating athletic excellence with academic rigor, aligning with the broader mission of the College of Arts and Sciences.