University of Houston Athletics
Alexis Williams Returns to Houston as Chief Branding Officer
3/30/2026 9:00:00 AM | General
HOUSTON – Alexis Williams will return to the Houston Athletics Department as its first Chief Branding Officer, following nearly six years at Colorado as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations, Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez announced on Monday.
Williams returns to the University of Houston, where she spent 18 months as the Associate Athletics Director for Ticket Sales and Operations, and to the City of Houston where she has spent over 15 years of her career (Houston, Rice and Theater Under the Stars).
"Houston has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm truly excited to be coming back home," Williams said. "There's incredible energy and momentum around this university, and I look forward to working alongside our student-athletes, coaches and staff to continue to build a brand that truly reflects the passion and excellence of Cougar Nation."
As Chief Branding Officer, Williams will oversee the Communications, Marketing and Fan Engagement, Content Solutions and Broadcast Production departments. The branding unit, in lock step with the resources unit, implements strategies to expand Houston's brand, improve the game day experience, and increase revenue to help every Cougar program to compete for championships.
Williams spent two stints at Colorado, with her first from 2015-19 in ticket sales and operations as an assistant athletics director and associate athletics director before leaving to come to Houston in 2019. In her second stint in Boulder, that spanned over six years, Williams served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations.
"We are thrilled to welcome Alexis Williams to our team at the University of Houston as our Chief Branding Officer. Alexis brings a dynamic and proven track record of elevating brands across collegiate athletics and beyond," Nuñez said. "Her experience leading external units—from marketing and communications to corporate partnerships and fan engagement—has consistently driven growth and visibility at every stop in her career, including Colorado, here in Houston and many others and she will help us raise the standard of Cougar Athletics."
During her 10-year tenure at Colorado, Williams helped guide external units to record setting performances. She played a major role in record football ticket revenue and year-over-year increases in men's and women's basketball attendance and sales. Her leadership helped contribute to innovative campaigns including Colorado's Black and Gold Upgrades, Buff Club student memberships and Travis Hunter's Heisman campaign.
Under her direction, Colorado earned recognition as a finalist for NACMA Marketing Team of the Year in 2025 and Ticket Team of the Year in 2024 and won the Paciolan Star of the Year for 2024. In addition, she supported the athletic communications unit during a period in which a member of the team earned the 2024 College Sports Communicator's Changemaker Innovation Award, reflecting a board departmental commitment to creative excellence and storytelling innovation.
Prior to her first stint at Colorado, Williams spent seven years at Rice in the ticket office where she oversaw the ticket operations for the Owls 2003 College World Series title and 2006 run to Omaha along with multiple Regional and Super Regional rounds hosted at Reckling Park.
Williams began her career at SMU as the Assistant Ticket Manager and then served in impactful roles at Rice University, Theater Under the Stars, Houston along with two stints at Colorado. Throughout her career, she has developed deep expertise in external revenue generation, ticketing strategy, digital innovation and creating fan engagement models that elevate the reach and reputation of athletic departments.
Known across the industry as a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, upon her return to Colorado, she served as the department's diversity and inclusion officer and was instrumental in advancing the creation of a full time DEI leadership role. She chaired the hiring committee for the Associate Athletic Director for DEI and has continued to lead efforts that strengthen departmental culture. Her commitment to fostering belonging and supporting student athletes and staff earned her the inaugural Championing Change Award.
Her influence extends nationally through service and membership in leading professional organizations. She is active in Women Leaders in Sports, NACDA, NACMA, NAATSO where she serves on the board and the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council of Excellence. She is also a member of the 2018 NCAA Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement West Class.
A graduate of LSU, Williams earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in sports management. During her time at LSU, she worked with the women's basketball program under WBCA Hall of Fame coach Sue Gunter.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
Williams returns to the University of Houston, where she spent 18 months as the Associate Athletics Director for Ticket Sales and Operations, and to the City of Houston where she has spent over 15 years of her career (Houston, Rice and Theater Under the Stars).
"Houston has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm truly excited to be coming back home," Williams said. "There's incredible energy and momentum around this university, and I look forward to working alongside our student-athletes, coaches and staff to continue to build a brand that truly reflects the passion and excellence of Cougar Nation."
As Chief Branding Officer, Williams will oversee the Communications, Marketing and Fan Engagement, Content Solutions and Broadcast Production departments. The branding unit, in lock step with the resources unit, implements strategies to expand Houston's brand, improve the game day experience, and increase revenue to help every Cougar program to compete for championships.
Williams spent two stints at Colorado, with her first from 2015-19 in ticket sales and operations as an assistant athletics director and associate athletics director before leaving to come to Houston in 2019. In her second stint in Boulder, that spanned over six years, Williams served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations.
"We are thrilled to welcome Alexis Williams to our team at the University of Houston as our Chief Branding Officer. Alexis brings a dynamic and proven track record of elevating brands across collegiate athletics and beyond," Nuñez said. "Her experience leading external units—from marketing and communications to corporate partnerships and fan engagement—has consistently driven growth and visibility at every stop in her career, including Colorado, here in Houston and many others and she will help us raise the standard of Cougar Athletics."
During her 10-year tenure at Colorado, Williams helped guide external units to record setting performances. She played a major role in record football ticket revenue and year-over-year increases in men's and women's basketball attendance and sales. Her leadership helped contribute to innovative campaigns including Colorado's Black and Gold Upgrades, Buff Club student memberships and Travis Hunter's Heisman campaign.
Under her direction, Colorado earned recognition as a finalist for NACMA Marketing Team of the Year in 2025 and Ticket Team of the Year in 2024 and won the Paciolan Star of the Year for 2024. In addition, she supported the athletic communications unit during a period in which a member of the team earned the 2024 College Sports Communicator's Changemaker Innovation Award, reflecting a board departmental commitment to creative excellence and storytelling innovation.
Prior to her first stint at Colorado, Williams spent seven years at Rice in the ticket office where she oversaw the ticket operations for the Owls 2003 College World Series title and 2006 run to Omaha along with multiple Regional and Super Regional rounds hosted at Reckling Park.
Williams began her career at SMU as the Assistant Ticket Manager and then served in impactful roles at Rice University, Theater Under the Stars, Houston along with two stints at Colorado. Throughout her career, she has developed deep expertise in external revenue generation, ticketing strategy, digital innovation and creating fan engagement models that elevate the reach and reputation of athletic departments.
Known across the industry as a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, upon her return to Colorado, she served as the department's diversity and inclusion officer and was instrumental in advancing the creation of a full time DEI leadership role. She chaired the hiring committee for the Associate Athletic Director for DEI and has continued to lead efforts that strengthen departmental culture. Her commitment to fostering belonging and supporting student athletes and staff earned her the inaugural Championing Change Award.
Her influence extends nationally through service and membership in leading professional organizations. She is active in Women Leaders in Sports, NACDA, NACMA, NAATSO where she serves on the board and the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council of Excellence. She is also a member of the 2018 NCAA Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement West Class.
A graduate of LSU, Williams earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in sports management. During her time at LSU, she worked with the women's basketball program under WBCA Hall of Fame coach Sue Gunter.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
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