Danielle (Hulick) Tansel has been named recreation supervisor for aquatics for the City of Galesburg Parks and Recreation Department. Tansel, a Galesburg native and former collegiate swimmer and coach, begins her role April 13. (Photo courtesy of the City of Galesburg)

The City of Galesburg has appointed Danielle (Hulick) Tansel as recreation supervisor for aquatics in the Parks and Recreation Department, city officials announced Wednesday.

Tansel, a Galesburg native, will oversee management and strategic growth of the city’s aquatic programs and facilities, including Hawthorne Municipal Pool and Lakeside Water Park. She is scheduled to begin the role April 13.

Tansel participated in swimming lessons at Hawthorne Pool and competed on her first swim team at Lakeside. She later became a record-setting swimmer at Galesburg High School before continuing her career at the University of Notre Dame, where she was an NCAA qualifier and part of four Big East Conference championship teams.

She graduated cum laude from Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and later earned a master’s degree in counseling from Oakland University.

Tansel brings more than 25 years of aquatics and collegiate coaching experience, including stops at the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Richmond and Oakland University. Her experience includes team leadership, recruiting and program development.

City Manager Eric Hanson said Tansel’s background will help strengthen the city’s aquatic programming.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danielle back to Galesburg to lead aquatics for the City of Galesburg,” Hanson said in a statement. “Her outstanding athletic background and collegiate coaching experience uniquely position her to enhance our aquatic offerings.”

City officials said Tansel will focus on expanding year-round programming, enhancing swimming instruction and increasing community engagement at both indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities.

“Returning home for a role that both excites and challenges me, I’m driven to elevate competitive swim, expand innovative programming and make aquatics accessible to every corner of our community,” Tansel said in a statement.

As recreation supervisor, Tansel will oversee development, supervision and management of all city aquatic operations. Additional information about city aquatic programs is available on the City of Galesburg website.