NEW YORK — The Columbia women's basketball program announced the hiring of Jon Rubenstein as Director of Basketball Operations on Friday. Rubenstein comes to Columbia with a background in digital media, teaching and coaching.

As Director of Basketball Operations, Rubenstein will be responsible for coordination of travel arrangements, assisting in the organization of practice, budget management, alumni relations, video coordination and special projects.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jon to the Columbia women's basketball family," head coach Megan Griffith said. "His authentic buy-in to our program's vision paired with his demonstrated high quality of work make him a perfect fit for the Director of Operations position. In addition, Jon's natural ability to form human connections and manage a team will add immediate value to our program."

Rubenstein spent the last two years at Success Academy Charter Schools in Brooklyn, where he was a Lead Teacher focused on reading and writing instruction. He also spent time as an Associate Teacher, co-teaching math and literacy while working with elementary students on their behavioral growth and social-emotional learning.

Prior to entering the classroom, Rubenstein worked at ESPN at the company's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, as a Digital Video / Social Associate. In his position, he produced, optimized and distributed ESPN's digital video content on ESPN.com, the ESPN app and YouTube, while also helping to create original pieces for ESPN's publications. Rubenstein also edited, published and wrote headlines and captions for ESPN's digital video content. His time as ESPN also saw him contribute as a sideline reporter.

Rubenstein's digital video and media background extends to the Bleav Podcast Network in Los Angeles, the Barger Leadership Institute, the Big Ten Network and WOLV-TV as a student on-air personality at the University of Michigan. He got his start in college basketball as a student manager for the Michigan men's basketball team, and later became a walk-on practice player on Michigan's scout team.

Rubenstein earned his bachelor's degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan in 2018, where he majored in organizational studies and minored in writing.