Women Leaders in College Sports Announces 2018 National Convention Scholarship Winners
PRESS RELEASE
August 14, 2018
Contacts:
Rachel DeSchepper
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208
Kansas City, Mo. – Women Leaders in College Sports, the nation’s premier leadership association that develops, connects, and advances women working in intercollegiate athletics, announced today 30 scholarship winners for the 2018 Women Leaders National Convention, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, October 14-16, 2018.
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, Leadership Enhancement Institute, and Executive Institute.
“We are so grateful for the institute classes and individual donors who participate in our Foundation Fund giving campaigns and truly embody Lifting as You Rise,” says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. “With these funds, we’re able to provide even more educational and professional development opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics.”
Scholarships include 15 general registration scholarships, 10 Women of Color Scholarships, two HBCU Scholarships, one Scott, Dallas, and Mia Pioli Family HBCU Scholarship, one Judy Sweet Scholarship, and one Chris Voelz “Cha-Ching” Fundraising Scholarship. The 30 winners, selected from 97 total applicants, represent Women Leaders members at all levels and across all divisions.
The 2018 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.
- Audriana Asfoor, University of Cincinnati, Graduate Assistant for the Sports Administration Program & Ticket Office Intern
- LaToya Ballard, Georgia Institute of Technology, Assistant Director of Academic Services
- Kathleen Brown, Marshalltown Community College, Athletic Director
- Ashlynn Fields, University of Southern California, Graduate Assistant - Student-Athlete Academic Success
- Lizette Goodloe, John Jay High School, AVID Coordinator/Elective Teacher
- Madison Hahesy, University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Athletics Administration Fellow
- Brianna McCarthy, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Academic Advisor
- Jessica Murfree, University of Louisville, Student
- Amanda Hajdu, University of North Dakota, Assistant Athletic Director
- Jackie Paquette, University of Indianapolis, Associate AD/SWA
- Bria Richardson, Pepperdine University, Academic Support Coordinator
- Sherrell Riley, Nova Southeastern University, Marketing and Promotions intern
- Keshia Shelby, Belhaven University, Student
- Leslie Shevlin, Willamette University, Associate Athletic Director/SWA
- Meghin Williams, University Of North Carolina, Greensboro, Assistant Director of Internal Operations
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.
- Sarijana Clark, University of Georgia, Athletic Academic Mentor
- Melisa Cruz, California State University, Bakersfield, Academic Advisor
- Crystal Gibson, Susquehanna University, Associate Director of Athletics
- Angel Mason, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Senior Associate AD/SWA
- Carmen Rollizo, University of Louisville, Academic Services Graduate Assistant
- Camille Romero, Queens College, Athletics Office Manager
- Taunita Stephenson, Lander University, Senior Associate AD/SWA
- D'minia Stokes, Florida State University, Premium Account Executive
- Jasmine Wilkins, Florida Gulf Coast University, Assistant Business Manager
- Dominique Woods, Mercer University, Director of Football Operations
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 2018 National Convention. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay and one reference.
- Corbin Bradford, North Carolina A&T State University, Assistant Ticket Office Manager
- Ancia Ifill, Florida A&M University, Learning Specialist
The Scott, Dallas, and Mia Pioli Family HBCU Scholarship
Related, 2018 was the inaugural year for the Scott, Dallas and Mia Pioli Family HBCU Scholarship. Also as part of the Women Leaders Women of Color Initiative, the Scott, Dallas and Mia Pioli Family HBCU Scholarship is awarded to one Women Leaders member per year, with preference given to a woman working in athletics at an HBCU or who graduated from an HBCU. The recipient of this scholarship demonstrates a commitment to intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete and have a need for financial assistance. Applicants completed an application form, which includes a brief essay that addressed her professional goals and how Women Leaders and our National Convention can help her achieve them, and one reference.
- Bria Bennett, Towson University, Community Partnership Coordinator
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.
- Morgan Harrigan, Heidelberg University, Head Women's Basketball Coach/SWA
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.
- Kat Lauer, UCLA, Director, Bruin Varsity Club
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 2018 event will be held October 14-16 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
About Women Leaders in College Sports
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; 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. Follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @WomenLeadersCS.