In 1997, the NCAA implemented the Fellows Leadership Development Program, as proposed by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.  The NCAA Fellows Program was developed with the specific goal of enhancing the employment and leadership opportunities for racial/ethnic minorities and women at the senior management level of intercollegiate athletics administration.

The program provides specific professional experiences that will enable participants with the opportunity to further develop their talents and abilities and to mesh these skills with their professional aspirations.  The program is designed to foster leadership within intercollegiate athletics.
 
*Program Note - The Fellows Leadership Development Program is currently going through a review process. Updated program information for the 2011-12 class will be made available this fall. 

Eligibility 
Any racial/ethnic minority or female athletics administrator (associate level or above, desired) employed at an NCAA member institution or conference office may apply for an NCAA fellowship. It is preferred that candidates have a minimum of eight years of experience and be recommended by his or her athletics director or conference commissioner.  Each candidate must be further supported by the institutional president or in the case of conference candidates, by the conference president or designee.

Benefits for the NCAA Fellow 
The benefits are far-reaching in that the NCAA fellow will be introduced to every facet of athletics administration and will receive an overview of athletics from the perspective of an athletics director or conference commissioner. Additionally, the opportunity to solve problems at a higher level of complexity will prepare the NCAA fellow to take on greater career challenges as well as enhance his or her opportunities for advancement or relocation. Attendance at professional and personal development workshops, participation in various conferences and the opportunity to interact with a mentor are among the activities that will benefit the NCAA fellow. 

Benefits for the Sponsoring Institution 
The sponsoring institution will benefit by further developing an individual as an athletics administrator who then will be better prepared to assume greater responsibility at the institution. The fellow will conduct briefing sessions for staff to share knowledge gained. Additionally, enhanced morale will be realized as evidenced by the sponsoring institution's commitment to career development opportunities. In effect, the opportunity has intrinsic value in that it will help stimulate others at the institution. The institution will be recognized for its commitment to career development, thereby becoming the institution of choice for high potential employees and highly competitive students. 

Fellows in the News

Graduates of the NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program

Class of 2009-2010

Class of 1997-1998

Class of 1999-2000

Class of 2001-2002

Class of 2003-2004

Class of 2005-2006

Class of 2007-2008

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