The NCAA has selected 21 administrators across all three divisions for the 2026-27 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
The Pathway Program, led by 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. It is designed to prepare administrators for executive-level leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics.Â
During the yearlong program, participants will examine how values shape leadership philosophy and execution within college athletics and higher education. The curriculum builds practical knowledge in budgeting, strategic planning and fundraising to support both current responsibilities and future roles. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight. Grounded in experiential learning, the program challenges participants to address current and emerging issues across the collegiate athletics landscape. This approach ensures they are not only prepared for the demands of executive leadership but also positioned to cultivate cultures of excellence within their organizations.
The 2026-27 cohort is meeting June 21-25 for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis. Division I participants will reconvene Oct. 4-9 in Indianapolis for additional development and governance meeting observation. Division II and III participants will reconvene Oct. 18-23 in Indianapolis. The program will conclude in the summer of 2027 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Orlando, Florida.
"Year after year, the Pathway Program demonstrates why it remains one of the NCAA's most impactful developmental offerings," said DeeDee Merritt Guster, NCAA managing director of leadership development. "It is built to complete the leadership pipeline — to develop administrators who will lead at the highest levels in intercollegiate athletics with purpose, champion student-athlete success and drive transformational change across the membership. We are thrilled to welcome the 2026-27 cohort into that tradition."
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 300 program alumni. In the past five years alone, 26% of program alumni have become directors of athletics or conference commissioners, while more than 55% have received promotions.
2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program roster:
- Rachel Acosta, associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator, Mary Hardin-Baylor.
- Jeremy Armstrong, associate athletics director for marketing, Texas.
- Cory Blackson, assistant athletics director for compliance, Thomas More.
- Spencer Bridges, deputy athletics director/chief revenue officer, Southern Mississippi.
- Lauren Bryne-Dunn, associate commissioner/senior woman administrator, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
- Tatum Colitz, deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator, Seton Hall.
- Liz Dennison, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Hobart/William Smith.
- Jessica Goerke, deputy athletics director/chief operating officer/senior woman administrator, San Diego.
- Malcolm Grace, deputy athletics director for compliance and NCAA governance, George Mason.
- Rob Heil, senior associate athletics director for development, Kansas State.
- Alex Keddie, senior associate athletics director for compliance, East Carolina.
- Nancy Lake, associate athletics director for compliance, Elizabeth City State.
- Chevonne Mansfield, executive senior associate athletics director/senior woman administrator, Howard.
- Ron Moses, deputy athletics director for revenue growth and competitive excellence, Old Dominion.
- Merce Poindexter, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete welfare and compliance, Valparaiso.
- J.R. Pulido, senior associate athletics director for administration, University of the Incarnate Word.
- Ronda Varnesdeel, associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Davenport.
- Lisa Varytimidis-Cannon, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Maryland Eastern Shore.
- Derek Viveiros, assistant director of athletics and recreation, Bridgewater State.
- Crystal Westphal, senior associate athletics director/business operations, Central Missouri.
- Jolisa Williams, interim vice president for intercollegiate athletics and recreation, Bowie State.
