Kentucky’s Rachel Newman Baker on Southeastern Conference’s 2025-26 Executive Committee

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – University of Kentucky Executive Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator Rachel Newman Baker will continue on the Southeastern Conference’s Executive Committee for the second of a two-year elected term starting July 1, the SEC announced Monday.

Newman Baker is a nationally renowned administrator and has served at Kentucky since 2013. During that tenure she has helped lead and support some of the most successful department-wide seasons in school history. She has served as Senior Woman Administrator at Kentucky since 2022.

Before joining the staff at Kentucky, Newman Baker was an accomplished compliance officer, rising through the ranks to serve as managing director of enforcement for development and investigations at the NCAA National Office.

Newman Baker, originally from Berea, Ky., was a standout women’s basketball player at Berea College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She earned her master’s degree in sports administration from The Ohio State University.

The SEC Executive Committee is composed of the three officers of the Conference and four individuals elected at the regular annual conference meeting. The elected members are composed of a Chief Executive Officer, Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator and Faculty Athletics Representative.

The primary responsibility of the SEC Executive Committee is to approve the annual operating budget of the Conference and oversee all financial and fiscal affairs of the Conference as administered by the Commissioner.

University of Tennessee Chancellor President Dr. Donde Plowman will begin a two-year term as the President of the SEC’s Executive Committee starting July 1.

University of Missouri President Dr. Mun Choi will begin a two-year term as Vice President of the committee while Texas A&M University Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Paul Batista assumes the position of Secretary.

Joining the committee are University of Mississippi Chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce, University of Georgia Director of Athletics Josh Brooks and University of Florida Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Chris Janelle. Newman Baker is a continuing member of the committee.

2025-26 Southeastern Conference Executive Committee
OFFICERS
President: Dr. Donde Plowman (University of Tennessee), Term: Member 2022-23; Vice President 2024-25; President 2025-27
Vice President: Dr. Mun Choi (University of Missouri), Term: Member 2023-25; Vice President 2025-27; President 2027-29
Secretary: Dr. Paul Batista (Texas A&M University), Term: Unlimited

COMMITTEE MEMBERS/GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
President/Chancellor: Dr. Glenn Boyce (University of Mississippi), Term: 2025-27
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Chris Janelle (University of Florida), Term: 2025-27
Athletics Director: Josh Brooks (University of Georgia), Term: 2025-27
Senior Woman Administrator: Rachel Newman Baker (University of Kentucky), Term: 2024-26