Ryan Qualls was promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Compliance in March 2025 after spending four years as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Columbia. In this role, Qualls’ primary responsibilities will include overseeing the day-to-day NCAA and Ivy League compliance of Columbia’s 31 varsity sports and serving as an advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Qualls joined Columbia after spending five years at the University of California, Davis in two different compliance roles. He served as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Compliance Services where he oversaw all compliance activities for UC Davis’ six varsity sports teams, including football. In addition, he worked as the athletics department liaison to the Financial Aid and Prestigious Scholarships Office and Student Housing and Dining Services Office and secondary contact for the Office of the University Registrar and Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He began at UC Davis in 2016 as its Assistant Director of Compliance Services before being promoted in 2019.
Before his tenure at UC Davis, Qualls completed a compliance internship at the University of Washington (2013-14) and had a stint as Compliance Coordinator at San Jose State University (2014-16).
A native of Sacramento, Calif., Qualls graduated from UC Davis in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in African and African-American studies. Qualls was involved with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and he served as NPHC President and Vice President. He went on to earn a Master of Education degree from the University of Washington in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a concentration on Intercollegiate Athletics Leadership in 2014.
