FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2026
ARMSTEAD ACADEMIC PROJECT NAMES CHRISTINA K. UPCHURCH AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Armstead Academic Project (AAP) announced today that it has named Christina K. Upchurch, a nonprofit leader with a strong commitment to youth development and education, as its next executive director.
Upchurch previously served as Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement at Fanatics, where she managed their nonprofit partnerships, employee giving and volunteerism, merchandise donation program, and disaster relief efforts, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic giving pillars.
“Christina’s background as a nonprofit leader who also has experience in the global sports and commerce industry makes her uniquely qualified for this role,” said Arik Armstead, co-founder of AAP and professional football player for the Jacksonville Jaguars. “Christina stood out among a pool of highly-qualified applicants because of her strategic approach to management, and her experience in program design and community engagement. I am excited to partner with her to expand AAP’s reach, and to advance educational equity for even more students in the U.S.,” Armstead said.
Earlier in her career, Upchurch worked in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. House of Representatives before transitioning to the nonprofit sector at the Aspen Institute, where she collaborated with corporate, civic, and community leaders on collective impact initiatives. Before joining Fanatics in 2021, she managed development at a nonprofit focused on advancing leadership and opportunity for women and girls. Upchurch earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Illinois College.
“I’ve spent the past decade working alongside nonprofit leaders and organizations focused on expanding opportunity for those in under-resourced communities,” Upchurch said. “Arik and Melinda Armstead have built a powerful vision for supporting students and their futures. I’m proud to join the AAP team to help scale its impact and carry that vision forward through academic support and meaningful opportunities that expand what young people see as possible for their futures.”
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About Armstead Academic Project (AAP)
The Armstead Academic Project (AAP) is dedicated to ensuring that every student, no matter their socioeconomic status, has direct access to the resources they need to thrive. AAP was founded in 2019 by professional football player Arik Armstead and his wife Melinda. Today AAP serves more than 4,000 youth annually with positive spaces, tools, and academic support to unlock their potential and achieve their goals through four program areas: READ, EXPLORE, CONNECT and STAY WELL. Learn more, www.armsteadproject.org.