WEST CHESTER, PA – West Chester University women's gymnastics assistant coach,
Stephanie Stephens, was promoted to full-time status with the athletic department, it was announced Thursday.
"West Chester University has always been more than just a place to coach – it's home," commented Stephens. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to transition into a full-time assistant coaching role after spending the past nine years as a part-time assistant. It's an honor to continue working with our student-athletes and take on an expanded role in a program that means so much to me.
"I'm especially thankful to continue coaching alongside Barb Cordova, who has been an influential mentor since my days as a student-athlete. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to our program have helped shape the coach I am today, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with her. I'm also grateful to the athletic department for their trust and support, and I'm excited to help build on the strong tradition of West Chester Gymnastics in the years to come."
Stephens becomes the program's first full-time assistant women's gymnastics coach. He had been serving in a part-time role for the last nine years before her promotion this summer in July.
"I am so excited that Stephanie is being elevated to a full-time assistant position," WCU Gymnastics head coach Barb Cordova said. "She has gone above and beyond in her role as a part-time assistant for the past nine years, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our program. This promotion is so well deserved, and I couldn't be happier to see her recognized for the tremendous impact she has made. Congratulations, Stephanie. You have truly earned this honor."
Stephens began serving in her new role on July 1 this summer.
During her first nine coaching campaigns with Cordova, Stephens has helped 19 different Golden Rams earn an All-America certificate while assisting the 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026 squads to the national championships. In 2024, senior
Caroline Cascadden was selected as the Gymnastics East Conference (GEC) Specialist of the Year while junior
Jordan Coleman took home Performance of the Year for her routine on bars in the opening meet of the season. Freshman
EmmaGrace Kelly made it two straight Performance of the Year accolades for Golden Rams gymnasts when she was a co-winner of the award in 2025.
Along the way, Stephens has been recognized as Assistant Coach of the Year by two separate organizations. In 2018, she was the ECAC Assistant Coach of the Year while one year later, she took home the same award among Division II institutions as handed out by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA). In the spring of 2024, Stephens added a GEC Assistant Coach of the Year plaque to her trophy case.
Stephens always goes above and beyond for West Chester Gymnastics and head coach
Barbara Cordova so that the Golden Rams can be as successful of a program that it can be. In addition to her coaching duties, Stephens leads the team's social media, helps with alumni relations and is a huge help with fundraising.
