Ms. Thirston currently serves as the Director of Athletic Communications at Prairie View A&M University, a role she has held since November 1, 2019. Prior to her promotion, she spent three years as the Assistant Sports Information Director after joining PVAMU on November 1, 2016. In her eight years at the university, Ms. Thirston has significantly elevated the Sports Information Department through her leadership and commitment to excellence in athletic communications.
Before arriving at Prairie View A&M, Ms. Thirston dedicated 24 years to her Alma mater, Alabama State University, where she held a wide range of positions across multiple departments. Her career at ASU began in March 1993 in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment as a regional recruiter covering Montgomery, the Black Belt region, Florida, and Georgia.
She later transitioned to the Department of Athletics as a Program Assistant reporting directly to the Athletic Director. In that role, she supported student-athlete eligibility and academic advisement, assisted with fundraising, and managed insurance claims for all student-athletes.
In 1997, Ms. Thirston made history as the inaugural Head Bowling Coach at ASU, launching a program with 12 student-athletes and leading the team to an Eastern Division title in just its second year. That same year, she was appointed Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, overseeing all women’s sports and continuing her leadership in fundraising and coaching.
In 2001, she joined the Office of Sports Information as Interim Sports Information Director. Over the next several years, she provided comprehensive coverage of all 18 varsity sports, coordinated athletic events, supported marketing and promotions, and spearheaded media relations initiatives.
Ms. Thirston is highly respected in the field of sports information and continues to demonstrate excellence in media relations, content creation, statistical tracking, and event management. Her work also includes supervising interns and student assistants, supporting marketing and fundraising efforts, and ensuring the effective communication of athletic achievements to the public and media.
She is an active member of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America), BC SIDA (Black College Sports Information Directors of America), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Psi, and Who’s Who of America. Ms. Thirston currently serves on the Division I NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Region VI regional selection committee.
A native of North Chicago/Waukegan, Illinois, Ms. Thirston earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1991. She is a proud mother to two daughters, LaTajia and LaTyahna, and grandmother to Lelani Avian. LaTajia is a 2020 graduate of Prairie View A&M University and earned a Master’s in Biology from Texas Southern University in December 2023. LaTyahna is currently pursuing her degree to become a Medical Assistant.
