The NCAA has selected its cohort for the 2023-24 Pathway Program, the yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for the next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
The Pathway Program, under the direction of NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II or III. During the year, the 21 participants will be paired with and have regularly scheduled meetings with a campus or conference mentor. The mentors include directors of athletics, conference commissioners and school presidents, among others in leadership roles.Â
The Pathway Program is designed to help cement their leadership purpose and enhance their skills in areas that focus on strategic planning; fundraising; message articulation; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational leadership; hiring processes; and engagement with search firms. The 2023-24 cohort will meet June 25-30 for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis and will return in October for more programming and to observe their divisions' respective governance meetings. The program will conclude in the summer of 2024.
"The 2022-23 cohort saw four learners ascend into the director of athletics or conference commissioner role, as well as five additional learners promoted into elevated positions that bring them one step closer to leading an athletics department or athletic conference," said DeeDee Merritt, director of leadership development at the NCAA. "The Pathway Program continues to illustrate why it is a signature developmental opportunity for senior-level administrators in the membership. We are excited to embark on another year of transformative change with the 2023-24 cohort and extend sincere thanks to our selection committee for their work."
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 282 program alumni, with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.
The following have been selected for the 2023-24 NCAA Pathway Program:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Name |
Title |
Institution |
Division |
Kristie Bowers |
Senior Associate Director of Athletics / Senior Woman Administrator |
Boston U. |
DI |
Adele Burk |
Associate Director for Championships and Compliance |
New England Small College Athletic Conference |
DIII |
Rob Carson |
Associate Athletics Director for Academic Success, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement |
Furman |
DI |
Doug Chin |
Associate Commissioner |
Commonwealth Coast Conference |
DIII |
Kristi Giddings |
Deputy Commissioner |
Big West Conference |
DI |
Kendra Greene |
Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Affairs / Senior Woman Administrator |
North Carolina Central |
DI |
Colin Hargis |
Senior Associate Athletics Director / Marketing and Ticket Services |
NC State |
DI |
Ashton Henderson |
Deputy Athletics Director / Championship Resources |
Michigan State |
DI |
Ragean Hill |
Executive Associate Athletics Director |
Charlotte |
DI |
Taurian Houston |
Executive Associate Athletics Director for Administration |
Dartmouth |
DI |
Michael Koehler |
Associate Director of Athletics |
Rockhurst |
DII |
Lauren Freeman Leister |
Deputy Athletics Director / Chief Operating Officer / Senior Woman Administrator |
Florida Gulf Coast |
DI |
Nicole Levering |
Assistant Director of Athletics / Senior Woman Administrator/ Head Softball Coach |
Georgia Southwestern |
DII |
Deborah Rodgers |
Deputy Chief Athletics Director |
Tuskegee |
DII |
Chris Spells |
Assistant Athletics Director for Facility Operations, Recreation and Engagement |
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps |
DIII |
DaShena Stevens |
Deputy Athletics Director |
University of the Incarnate Word |
DI |
Erin Sullivan |
Deputy Director of Athletics / Senior Woman Administrator |
Wisconsin-Stout |
DIII |
Daniel Teliski |
Associate Director of Athletics/ Compliance Director |
Gannon |
DII |
Hayley Treadway |
Senior Associate Athletics Director / Compliance and Student Success / Senior Woman Administrator |
Wisconsin-Parkside |
DII |
Megan Wilson |
Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics |
Dubuque |
DIII |
Tim Wise |
Senior Associate Athletics Director / Facilities, Events and Revenue |
Notre Dame |
DI |