WACO, Texas -- Baylor University's head equestrian coach Ellen White announced the hiring of a former BU student-athlete as assistant hunter seat coach Thursday. Heather Healy returns to Baylor, this time as an assistant coach, for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Healy graduated from Baylor in the spring of 2011 with a BBA in accounting and competed with the Bears' equestrian team from the fall of 2007 through the spring of 2010.

Since her departure, Healy has worked as a certified public accountant, but also continued to teach horse riding lessons. For the past two years she has run her own training program teaching horses and riders of all ages and experience levels.

"We are thrilled to bring Heather back to the Baylor family," said White. "She was a great student-athlete for us and knows what it takes to win."

Healy was a member of Baylor's first Big 12 championship team in 2010, and she was also the last Bear standing in the individual VENC competition that season, where she advanced to the national semifinals in equitation on the flat. The VENC has since transitioned to the NCEA.

White said that Healy will be a valuable asset on the recruiting trail because of her experience training since leaving Baylor.

"She's young, she knows a lot of people competing in the youth circuits, and she has the personality that makes her easy to get to know," White said. "She was a hard worker as a student-athlete and I'm excited to see what her energy and determination will bring to our coaching staff. She is someone that people are going to want to create a bond with."

Healy grew up in California and competed as a youth in the Interscholastic Equestrian League in Los Angeles before beginning her collegiate career at Baylor in the fall of 2006.

The Bears are coming off a 2015 Big 12 championship and a national semifinals appearance at the 2015 NCEA championships.