Women Leaders in College Sports Announces 2019 National Convention Scholarship Winners

PRESS RELEASE

August 14, 2019

Contacts:
Chanel Barnes
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 2019 Women Leaders National Convention, which will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15, 2019.

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 10 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 25 winners, selected from 82 total applicants, represent Women Leaders members at all levels and across all divisions.

The 2019 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.

  • Kasey Benjamin, Finance & HR Assistant, University of California, Berkeley
  • Ashley Boles, Assistant Coach, Fayetteville State University
  • Callie Mulvihill, Assistant Director of Compliance, Sacremento State University 
  • Sarah Vollaro, Athletic Administration and Leadership Development Intern, The George Washington University 
  • Karen Schiferl, Associate AD for Student-Athlete Support Services, Eastern Michigan University 
  • Lyndsay Ostler, Head Coach, Colby-Sawyer College
  • Laura Schnell, Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota, Duluth
  • Lydia Sandlin, Assistant Director of Marketing, University of California, Davis
  • Tianna Hill, Compliance Assistance, Rice University 
  • Felicia Johnson, Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Virgina Union University 

    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.

    • Victoria Adams, Operations Assistant, University of Mississippi
    • Emerald Fulmore, Associate Athletic Director of Compliance, Bowie State University 
    • Alicia English, Assistant Director of Athletics - External Operations, Abilene Christian University 
    • Lisa Payton, Compliance Coordinator, Rutgers University 
    • Nicole Iloanya, Compliance and Contracts Intern, Southern Methodist University 
    • Toni-Ann Derby, Assistant Director of Championships, Sun Belt Conference
    • Taylor McBride, Coordinator of Intramurals & Recreation, Eastern Connecticut State 
    • Kristia Worthy, Associate Director of Academic Services, University of Louisville
    • Lauren McCree, Mike Ilitch School of Business Intern, Wayne State University
    • Shanika Mungin, Associate Director of SAAS, Florida State 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 2018 National Convention. Applicants completed an application form, which included a brief essay and one reference.


    • Suzette McQueen, Senior Associate Commissioner for External Relations & Strategic Marketing/SWA, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
    • DaVitta Miller, Compliance Coordinator, Alabama State University 

    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.

    • Carrie Hickey, Athletic Advisor, FAMU 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.

    • Melanie Wilson, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA, Pfeiffer 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.

    • Alicia Torimoto McLeod, Assistant Director, Wildcat Fund, Northwestern 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 2019 event will be held October 13-15 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.

    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.