Maureen Palchak was elevated to Associate Athletic Director of Recreation and Athletics Management on July 15, 2019, continuing her role as a member of the Northwestern Athletics and Recreation senior staff leadership team. Palchak is responsible for the oversight and leadership of the Recreation program, which comprises Competitive Sports (Intramurals and Sport Clubs), Wildcat Camp, Facilities and Operations, Fitness and Wellness, Sailing Center, Membership Services, Aquatics and Beach for the Evanston campus.

Palchak also serves as the sport administrator to Northwestern’s varsity men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs and the women’s golf program. She previously had oversight of the women’s volleyball program, as well.
 
Now in her second decade in Evanston, Palchak joined Northwestern in 2007 and spent four years in Wildcats ticket operations. She transitioned into a newly created role as assistant director of marketing/community relations in January of 2011, growing that position and earning elevations to assistant athletic director, community relations, in April of 2013 and associate athletic director, community relations in December of 2018. 

In that role, Palchak served as Northwestern's philanthropic liaison, responsible for coordinating community outreach for all 19 varsity programs while collaborating closely with marketing, academic services, compliance and athletic communications. She also was deeply involved in Northwestern Athletics' role within the City of Evanston, developing relationships with key government and community figures.
 
A Marshall, Mich., native, Palchak graduated from Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Ind., where she swam four years on the Belles' varsity swim team and set five program records. She earned her master's degree in sports administration from Northwestern University in 2008. 
 
In addition to her work at Northwestern, Palchak currently serves on the board of the not-for-profit Girls Play Sports. She resides in Evanston with her husband, Doug Meffley, her son, Jackson, and her daughter, Eliza.