Robin Harris, senior counsel at Ice Miller LLP, will be the new executive director of the Ivy Group, effective July 1. She will replace Jeff Orleans, who announced last year that he will retire June 30, 2009.

Harris, who joined Ice Miller’s collegiate sports practice in 2002, also spent nine years at the NCAA national office with Division I governance and the Division I Committee on Infractions.

“Robin Harris is a dedicated and talented athletics administrator and attorney, with a keen understanding of the importance of academics in intercollegiate athletics and a deep appreciation of the role of competitive athletics as a component of a liberal arts and science education,” said Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann, chair of the Council of Ivy Group Presidents.

“She brings a wealth of experience as a leader, advisor, administrator and advocate for colleges and universities in a range of important athletics issues, including academic standards, diversity and gender equity. She also brings extensive national experience within the NCAA.  As an advisor to university presidents, athletic directors and coaches, Robin is perfectly suited to promoting our values as well as to maintaining the Ivy League’s strong competitive presence.”

Harris holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree from Duke, where she served as editor of the Duke Law Journal. She serves as legal advisor to the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators and belongs to a variety of professional associations.

“I look forward to working closely with the athletics directors and their staffs, and with other administrators, coaches and student-athletes at all eight Ivy institutions to implement the priorities of the presidents and to lead the governance and administration of Ivy League intercollegiate athletics,” Harris said.