Women Leaders in College Sports Announces 2017 National Convention Scholarship Winners

PRESS RELEASE

August 15, 2017
Contact: Rachel DeSchepper
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208

Kansas City, Mo. – Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA), the nation’s premier women’s athletic leadership association, announced today 30 scholarship winners for the 2017 Women Leaders National Convention, which will be held in Dallas, Texas, October 8-10, 2017.

The scholarships are made possible by donations to the Women Leaders in College Sports Foundation Fund, which supports all member scholarships to the organization’s educational programs, including the Women Leaders National Convention, along with the NCAA / Women Leaders Institutes for Administrative Advancement, Executive Institute, and Leadership Enhancement Institute.

“We are so fortunate and grateful for supporters who help us continue to provide educational and professional development opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics,” says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.

Scholarships include 15 general registration scholarships, 10 Women of Color Scholarships, three HBCU Scholarships, one Judy Sweet Scholarship, and one Chris Voelz “Cha-Ching” Fundraising Scholarship. The 30 winners, selected from 88 total applicants, represent Women Leaders members at all levels and across all divisions.

The 2017 scholarship recipients are:

General Registration Scholarship

General Registration scholarships are awarded to current Women Leaders members who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay and one reference.

Nikki Ayers, Assistant Athletic Director for Administration and Compliance, Claremont McKenna College
Katherine Burger, Graduate Assistant, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Julie Cribbs, Associate Director of Game/Event Management, Louisiana State University
Hannah Delph, Compliance Coordinator, Florida Southern College
Molly Gallagher, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications, La Salle University
Amy Gaston, Graduate Assistant, Baylor University
Emma Gresser, Graduate Assistant, DePaul University
Shannon Guy, Student-Athlete Advisor, The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
Jessie Harrison, Assistant Director of Special Events, Wake Forest University
Melynda Link, Graduate Assistant, La Salle University
Marisol Medina, Academic Coordinator, The University of Texas at Austin
Mallory Poole, Director of Student-Athlete Leadership & Career Development, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Jayme Pendergast, Director of Athletics, Life University
Amanda Van Duyn, Graduate Assistant, The University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Sara Weber, Doctoral Student, United States Sports Academy

Women of Color Scholarship

As part of the NCAA / Women Leaders in College Sports Women of Color Initiative—which works to address the needs and barriers women of color experience in relation to access, advancement and retention in collegiate athletics—Women Leaders in College Sports offers scholarships to minority women currently active in the Women of Color Initiative who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay and one reference.

Joy Ekema-Agbaw, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, The University of Arkansas
Jessica Gray, Compliance & Student-Athlete Affairs Coordinator, Temple University
Jacqueline Perez, Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Jessie Rosa, Associate Director of Athletics/SWA, Auburn University at Montgomery
Stephanie Sharpe, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Tarleton State University
Tausha Smith, Assistant AD for Equipment & Purchasing, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Juliana Smith, Assistant AD, Human Resources & Administrative Engagement, The University of Oklahoma
Ashley Smith, Director of Football Administration & Special Events, The University of Tennessee
Shelly Terry, Associate Director for Trademarks & Licensing, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Leah Turner, Texas A&M University

HBCU Scholarship

Also as part of the Women Leaders in College Sports Women of Color Initiative, the HBCU scholarship package is offered to women employed at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Each scholarship includes a one-year membership for Women Leaders in College Sports, and one registration and accompanying travel cost to the 2017 National Convention. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay and one reference.

Carlitta Moore, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer, Fayetteville State University
Youdlyne Renard, Learning Specialist, Bethune Cookman University
Christine Waite, Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning, South Carolina State University

Judy Sweet Scholarship

The Judy Sweet Scholarship honors the legacy and work of Judy Sweet, a Women Leaders in College Sports past president, previous board member, former NCAA president, and long-time director of athletics at the University of California, San Diego.

The Judy Sweet Scholarship is presented to a Women Leaders in College Sports member working in intercollegiate athletics, in any division, with a staunch commitment to gender equity and Title IX. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay on how they demonstrate dedication to intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete, a passion for gender equity, and a persevering attitude, along with one reference. Preference was given to Women Leaders in College Sports members currently active in the Women Leaders in College Sports Title IX Circle.

Anna Gritter, Student, Grand Valley State University

Chris Voelz "Cha-Ching" Fundraising Scholarship

The Chris Voelz "Cha-Ching" Fundraising Scholarship honors the legacy and work of Chris Voelz, a Women Leaders in College Sports past president, former board member, persuasive auctioneer, and extremely successful fundraiser during her tenure at the University of Minnesota. Voelz currently serves the industry as the Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards—the most prestigious national collegiate sports awards program for women—and consults as a leadership gifts officer at the Women’s Sports Foundation.

The Chris Voelz "Cha-Ching" Fundraising Scholarship is presented to a Women Leaders in College Sports member currently working in intercollegiate athletics development, in any division, with the intention of advancing her career further within the fundraising and development arena. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay on how they demonstrate the qualities of Chris Voelz—dedication to intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete, fearlessness, tenacity, integrity, and a "no doesn't always mean no" attitude in the realm of fundraising—along with one reference. Preference was given to Women Leaders in College Sports members currently active in the Women Leaders in College Sports Development Circle.

Katie Benoit, Associate AD of Development, Western State Colorado University

About the Women Leaders National Convention

The Women Leaders National Convention is the premier conference for women working in intercollegiate athletics. Attended by athletics directors, conference commissioners, coaches, administrators, and staff from all divisions of intercollegiate athletics, this annual gathering provides three days of unparalleled education, leadership training and networking. The 2017 event will be held October 8-10 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

About Women Leaders in College Sports

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; www.womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.