SAINT PETER, Minn. – Gustavus Athletics Assistant Sports Information Director Jordan Modjeski was named to the College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 class, the CSC announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3. 

The CSC "30 Under 30" award is presented to emerging athletics communications professionals at all levels of college sports in strategic, creative, and digital spaces. Candidates are considered for selection based on achievement in areas such as professional success, impact on their athletic department, and service to CSC. Honorees must be 29 years old or younger on Dec. 31, 2024, and hold a current CSC membership.

"Thank you to the CSC community and Young Professionals Committee – it's an honor to be a member of the 2024 30 Under 30 class," Modjeski said. "I'm the first to tell anyone that I love my job, and I'm so proud to be able to bring recognition to the Gustavus Sports Information Department. I'm incredibly thankful for my Gustie family of coaches, staff, and student-athletes who have helped me grow professionally and personally in the last three years." 

Modjeski, a 2022 graduate of Saint Mary's University, arrived at Gustavus having served as an undergraduate intern in the Saint Mary's sports information office. This is her third year with the Gustavus Sports Information Department, and first as the full-time Assistant Sports Information Director in the 2024-25 academic year. She is the primary sports information contact for 11 varsity sports and all 13 club sports.

"I've been lucky enough to have grown up in the MIAC, first as a student-athlete and now as an SID, and I feel fortunate to have started my career learning from so many industry legends in our conference who have served as incredible examples, mentors, and friends to me as a young person navigating this field," Modjeski continued. "I share this honor with them and all the student workers who help our office run so smoothly."

As the head content manager for the Gustie Athletics social media channels, Modjeski oversees and executes all graphic design and posts on the primary athletics account, as well as various team accounts. In her first two years, she was responsible for tripling social media metrics and engagement on all channels, and has created a well-recognized brand in Division III athletics. 

"Since joining the sports information department, Jordan has played an integral role in elevating the social media presence and website redesign of the Gustavus Athletics Department," Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Rachelle Sherden said. "Jordan's creativity, digital design proficiency, efficient information gathering, and ability to effectively execute projects from inception to completion shines through all of her stellar work over the last three years. What sets her apart as one of the top up-and-coming sports information professionals in the field is her unwavering dedication to the demands of the job, coupled with her mission and passion for illuminating the remarkable stories of our Gustie student-athletes, coaches, and sports programs."

A former Division III women's hockey player herself, Modjeski is especially close with the Gustie women's team, and her connection to the sport has created a meaningful partnership with the program in the last three years. 

"Jordan is a very hard worker and she does so much for the Gustavus Athletics community," commented junior women's hockey forward Lily Mortenson (Champlin, Minn.). "From making game day graphics, to taking pictures during games, to broadcasting games, Jordan does it all, and the entire women's hockey team is grateful for all her hard work."

This isn't the first time Modjeski has been recognized nationally by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) while at Gustavus, as the organization has highlighted her work nationally over the last two years. She received 11 national honors for her graphic design, video production, and photography in the 2023-24 season, making Gustavus one of 13 schools in the nation to have more than 10 pieces recognized by the CSC. Her 2022-23 design portfolio was also named second in the nation among all NCAA Division II and III schools. She currently serves on three CSC committees: Young Professionals, Creative & Digital Design Contest, and the Academic All-America Committee. She is a part of the New Media/Creative Team for the Academic All-America Committee and is one of the social media leads for CSC Young Professionals.

From apparel design, to updating every television in the Gustavus Lund Center weekly, to instituting the first Gustavus-sponsored student-athlete media days, and anything in between, Modjeski has played a significant role in the development of the Gustavus Athletics brand, both online and in Saint Peter, and her effect on the student-athlete experience has not gone unnoticed.

"Jordan's impact on the athletic department in such a short time has been unbelievable," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Laurie Kelly. "I've had the opportunity to see the sports information office grow, and the addition of Jordan as a full-time employee has been vital to our programs' success, particularly in what we're sharing on social media and through the coverage of our teams. She really supports the student-athletes, and her mission is to try to bring as much exposure and positive recognition to them as possible. As coaches, we know that, ultimately, we're here for our student-athletes, and she is an extension of that, and is really invested in their experience. She works tirelessly, night and day, seven days a week, and while we often joke that she probably sleeps somewhere in her office, she has been a huge addition and made a major impact on every team at Gustavus."

Beyond her work on social media, Modjeski was also instrumental in the department's transition from an institutionally operated athletics website to a SIDEARM website, leading much of the site's information transfer and redesign. In her second year as a graduate assistant, Modjeski spearheaded the content creation for the first Gustavus Athletics "Give Like a Champion" fundraising campaign, creating and sharing over 200 videos, exceeding the initial goal by 170% with over 420,000 dollars raised. She was also a member of the team of faculty and staff that created a sport management major on campus, is the head of two SAAC committees, and serves as a liaison and volunteer graphic designer for the MIAC social media accounts.

Modjeski joins fellow MIAC member Hannah Robb, St. Olaf's Creative and Digital Media Strategist, in receiving this award. Modjeski and Robb are the first two in conference history to earn the distinction. Of all conferences represented, the MIAC was one of four in the country to have multiple selections, and one of just two in Division III, joining the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), which led all conferences at any division with three award recipients.

Modjeski and the 29 other recipients will receive their awards at the annual CSC Convention in Orlando, Fla. in June.