Howard University Athletics

Since 2017, Dr. Miriam S. Lynch has served as a volunteer coach for the Howard University Swimming & Diving program under the leadership of Nicholas Askew. Her many contributions has seen the program break over 50 school records while producing National qualifiers, including NCAAs and an US Olympic Trials Qualifier.
 
Lynch is an advocate for increasing water safety education, creating equitable resources and creating opportunities in aquatics. She has been privileged to serve as the Executive Director of Diversity in Aquatics, an organization whose diverse network of aquatic professionals, enthusiasts and researchers who are working to eliminate the drowning disparities, expose efforts and systematic policies that create barriers towards participation and promote the benefits of all aquatic sports and activities especially in historically marginalized and under resourced communities.
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Under her leadership, Diversity In Aquatics has increased membership as well as become a top national level organization part of the US National Water Safety Action Plan and the Aquatics Coalition. With over 2500 members worldwide, Diversity In Aquatics is a membership driven organization whose aim is to empower individuals and organizations to create real systemic change in their communities. In partnership with the International Water Safety Foundation, Diversity In Aquatics has reached over 1 million families with water safety messaging and resources.
 
Earlier in her career, Lynch had the opportunity to swim with coaches, such as Jim Ellis and Tommy Jackson. This expert level coaching assisted with landing her a scholarship to swim for Howard University.
 
During her time as a Shark, Miriam broke six individual and three relay team records, which was the most ever in HU history up to that point. Currently, Lynch still holds the record for the 1650 Freestyle. A record that has been challenged by many, but yet, still stands.
 
As a coach, Lynch has coached for one of the top clubs in USA Swimming, Nation's Capital Swim Club under the mentorship of National Team Coach Mr. Pete Morgan. As well as served in various roles within USA Swimming as a board member of the USA Swimming National Diversity Committee and the Eastern Zone, and Potomac Valley Swimming (PVS) Diversity and Inclusion Chair to create programs with USA Swimming’s core objectives to build the base and promote the sport.
 
Currently, Lynch is using her experience and lessons from the classroom and the pool to provide educational programming and collaborative partnerships towards promoting and supporting diverse communities.
 
Aside from her work on the national level in aquatics, Lynch is an public school educator where her students have place in the top 90% nationally for Economics and Personal Finance.
 
She is also part of the leadership team at West Springfield H.S. as a Software Based Technology Specialist in Fairfax County where she supports over 2550 students and 240 teachers at the school.