It’s time to celebrate the Class of 2023—from BusinessWest, that is: AIC Athletics Director Jess Chapin has been named as a 40 Under Forty honoree by BusinessWest magazine. The publication recognizes “the rising stars” creating a positive impact in Western Massachusetts. Read Joseph Bednar’s write-up here.

The judges, including AIC alumnus and founder and general manager of White Lion Brewing Company Raymond Berry, reviewed more than 120 nominations in creating the list of honorees.  

The judges were impressed with Chapin's collegiate athletic achievements. In 2010 alone, she was named the University Athletic Assoc. Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, the Brandeis University Female Athlete of the Year, and a State Farm Women’s Basketball All-American; in 2018, she became a New York State Section 5 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

The article also cites Chapin's career accomplishments in their decision to honor her. As AIC’s Athletics Director, Chapin leads a department of 25 intercollegiate and four club sports, overseeing nearly 45 full-time coaches and another 20 staff members, and more than 650 student-athletes. She’s responsible for the strategic direction, administration, and supervision of all phases of athletics, including budget management, alumni engagement, fundraising, marketing, enrollment management, personnel management, long-term vision, and strategic planning, crisis management and discipline, Title IX and gender equity, facilities, and more.

“I love seeing a light go off in the minds of young adults who often come to college not necessarily knowing what they want to do, being able to work with them, seeing the struggles, but then seeing them come out on the other side,” Chapin told BusinessWest.

Congratulations to the other 40 Under Forty 2023 class members with ties to AIC, including Arlen Carballo, Executive Director of Finance at MGM Springfield, who serves on AIC's Board of Trustees; Amanda Pham, who graduated from AIC with a master's in accounting, and is now Executive Director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority; and Aimee Dalenta, Program Chair of Early Childhood Education at Springfield Technical Community College, who earned her doctorate in education from AIC.   

Chapin, along with the other nominees, will be celebrated at the annual 40 Under Forty Gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on Thursday, June 15. Tickets go on Sale on May 4. Learn more about the event and how to buy tickets here.