2016 Rising Star & Commitment Award Honorees Announced

Kansas City, Mo. ─ The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) announced today its 2016 Rising Star and Commitment Award recipients. Julia Bell (Mount Holyoke College), TaRonda Randall (NCAA) and Tayla Woods (Oregon State University) were named Rising Star Award winners, and Dr. Kristina Navarro (University of Wisconsin- Whitewater) was honored with the Commitment Award.

“NACWAA is thrilled to honor these outstanding emerging and aspiring athletics administrators,” said Patti Phillips, NACWAA chief executive officer. “Their passion and commitment is not only inspiring, but also contagious. We cannot wait to stand alongside these bright, young women as they grow and excel in their athletic careers.”

The Rising Star Award is presented to undergraduate or graduate students, interns or volunteers who aspire to a career in intercollegiate athletics. The award recognizes involvement and leadership roles on a campus, in a conference office or organization and in the community. The Commitment Award recognizes an athletics administrator below the senior ranking level who is committed to providing high-level leadership and guidance within intercollegiate athletics, goes beyond the call of duty, and provides outstanding service to their department, conference office, or organization.

Award recipients will also receive scholarships to attend the 2016 NACWAA National Convention, October 9-11 in Kansas City, Mo. The National Convention is the premier conference for women working in intercollegiate athletics, offering unparalleled leadership and professional development, industry training and networking opportunities.

About the Honorees

Julia Bell is currently completing her Bachelors in Psychology, minoring in Education Studies with a focus on Sports Pedagogy at Mount Holyoke College. She has an anticipated graduation date of May, 2016. Currently, she serves as the sports information student assistant at Mount Holyoke, managing several responsibilities including providing in game statistics and maintaining current website content. Julia plans to earn her Masters in Sports Management.

Bell was nominated by the chair of physical education and director of athletics at Mount Holyoke College, Lori Hendricks, who stated: “I have no doubt that she will continue to grow as a professional within college athletics.” When referring to Bell’s desire to one day serve as an athletic director Hendricks said, “Her professional trajectory is aimed in that direction.”

TaRonda Randall had an accomplished basketball career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham where she served as a team captain and graduated magna cum laude earning her Bachelors in Political Science. TaRonda earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Alabama School of Law in May of 2015. She has continued in her strive toward excellence as a postgraduate intern in the Office of Enforcement at the NCAA, providing case support and analysis during investigations.

“Accolades and accomplishments aside, what is most appealing about TaRonda is her charming disposition and sincerity,” said her nominator Janet Calandro, coordinator of enforcement at the NCAA. “She often reflects on her student-athlete experience and the positive and lasting impact college sports made on her life. As a result of her experiences, TaRonda strives to give back, always finding ways to impact everyone around her in a positive, meaningful way. No doubt, TaRonda is poised for a bright future in college athletics.'

Tayla Woods is anticipating graduation with her Masters in Education from Oregon State University in June 2016. She led the OSU volleyball team to the Sweet 16 appearance as the senior captain in 2014. Her leadership continued to propel as she assisted with staff transition in the OSU athletic department. Tayla has recently accepted an internship position at Texas A&M as assistant life skills coordinator.

“She is a special person in that her dedication and work ethic surpasses many young individuals,” stated nominator, Marianne Vydra, deputy athletic director at Oregon State University. “She will be a rock star wherever she lands!”

Dr. Kristina Navarro is the director of student-athlete engagement and an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where for the past three years she has served both the undergraduate and graduate student populations. Demonstrating her commitment to intentional programming she is focused on developing and enhancing student-athletes in social responsibility, leadership development and career preparation through the creation of the Warhawk Leadership Academy and Higher Education Leadership graduate program.

“She is highly committed to the student-athlete experience and continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Department and University to forward high impact leadership development training programs,” stated her nominator Dr. Kelly Witte, department chair in the College of Education and Professional Studies at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “Dr. Navarro is a true servant leader.”

About National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators

Founded in 1979, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA; www.nacwaa.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to enhance and promote opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics administration. NACWAA with nearly 2,000 members promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes. It is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to providing educational programs, professional and personal development opportunities, information exchange, and support services to enhance collegiate athletics.