To reach a member of the NCAA leadership development staff, send an email to LDevelopment@ncaa.org.

DeeDee Merritt

Managing Director

DeeDee Merritt serves as the managing director of leadership development. At the national office, Merritt administers the NCAA Division I Pathway Program, the Champion Forum for Football and Basketball, the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, Foundations of Fundraising and The ARISE program. As the department lead, Merritt oversees the establishment, expansion, evaluation, promotion and execution of all NCAA leadership development initiatives and programs, while playing a key role in fulfilling the missions of both the NCAA and the inclusion, education, and community engagement unit.

Before earning her current role, Merritt held positions, including assistant athletics director, director of special projects (global inclusion and engagement) and coordinator of women’s services and advocacy, in the athletic department of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

During her 15-year tenure at Milwaukee, Merritt created life skills programming for college athletes and professional development for administrators; managed Horizon League championship tournaments; coordinated athletics and recreation facility scheduling; supervised the academic monitoring program; and executed campus training workshops on bystander intervention, relationship violence and leadership training. She served as chair of the Horizon League Life Skills Coordinator Group, was the advisor to the Milwaukee Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and administrative liaison to the Horizon League SAAC.

Merritt has a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. She previously has worked at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Lamarr Pottinger

Director

Lamarr Pottinger began his role with the NCAA in November of 2019 and currently provides strategic direction and support to the NCAA diversity grant programs and several leadership development programs. Pottinger leads content development and logistical delivery of the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, the NCAA Division II/III Pathway Program, and the NCAA and NFL Administrators Academy. Pottinger also provides oversight and leadership of the design, development, and execution of all program offerings.

Pottinger came to NCAA leadership development from Texas Tech, where he served as an assistant athletics director. Responsible for the growth and support of the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy, he led the charge for nationally recognized programs, like Suited for Success, and other development opportunities for student-athletes that prepared them for life during and after sport. 

His career experience includes two years as the director of student-athlete development and leadership programs at Old Dominion and two additional years at Jacksonville University, where he was instrumental in implementing leadership development programming on campus. In 2018, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals presented him with the Professional Promise Award, given annually to one new member from each region who has dedicated significant energy to the association and its mission.

Pottinger also brings experience as a four-year varsity letter winner for track and field at Eastern Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sport studies. He completed a master’s in sport management from Western Illinois while holding a graduate assistantship for student-athlete services. He currently is pursuing a Master of Science in human resources and organization development at Louisville. 

A true product of NCAA leadership development programming, Pottinger is a proud Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute alumnus and has facilitated for both the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum and Leadership Academy Workshop.

Jennifer Beasley

Associate Director, E-Learning

Jennifer joined the NCAA national office in May 2013 and currently serves as an associate director of leadership development. In her role, Jennifer leads the Association’s e-learning programs directing the development of engaging and quality online learning and professional development courses. 

Prior to the NCAA, Jennifer worked at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis last serving as an instructional design consultant within the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning. In her role, she consulted with faculty on instructional topics that included teaching online, designing curriculum and developing learning outcomes. She also directed programming focused on adjunct faculty and graduate teaching assistants.   

Jennifer received a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University. She is a proud mother of two daughters who attend Indiana (Go Hoosiers!) An active member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, Jennifer volunteers with the organization to create supportive an environment for members to enhance their character and achieve excellence. She is an avid reader and you can often find her attending live music events.

Mark Trumbo

Associate Director 

Mark Trumbo began his role with the NCAA in August 2023 and currently provides direction and support to several leadership development programs and initiatives. Trumbo leads content development and logistical delivery of the Effective Facilitation Workshop, the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy, Basketball Coaches Academy, and assists in the execution of the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. He also oversees the annual NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program for 32 young professionals at the NCAA national office. 

Trumbo came to NCAA leadership development from Syracuse University, where he served as an assistant athletics director. Responsible for the creation and implementation of the Office of Student-Athlete Engagement, Trumbo’s programs served over 5,000 participants annually, career outcome reports that averaged over 97% annually for graduating student-athletes and led culture and leadership development for all 20 varsity sports. 

Prior to Syracuse, Trumbo spent five years at Ball State University in the student-athlete support services department where he created the first-ever student-athlete development program, Take Flight. A nationally recognized leader in student-athlete development, Trumbo earned the inaugural Award for Innovation and Impact in Student-Athlete Development from the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) in 2023. Trumbo’s honors also include the Professional Excellence Award in 202 from the N4A, and Top 100 Transformational Leaders from John Maxwell in 2017. 

Trumbo has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Ball State University. 

Trumbo is also published (The Dream Factory) and enjoys spending time outdoors and on the golf course. 

Trumbo resides in McCordsville, IN with his wife, Kristy, and three children: Avery, Grant, and Payton.

Ashley Jocelyn

Assistant Director

Ashley Jocelyn began her role with the NCAA leadership development team in September 2022. She serves as an assistant director, spearheading the oversight of the Elite Student-Athlete Symposiums for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. She also is the program administrator for the Basketball Coaches Academy and Career in Sports Forum. 

Before joining the leadership development team, Jocelyn served as the chief of staff for Louisiana Tech athletics, working alongside the executive team and athletics director while providing employee engagement opportunities for the department.

Before her time at Louisiana Tech, Jocelyn was the student-athlete development fellow for Mississippi State. Jocelyn’s primary role was geared toward community engagement and social media, but she was heavily involved in the program’s three other major life after sports initiatives: leadership development, professional development and personal development.

Jocelyn, a native of Miami, earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a double minor in sports administration and mass communication at the University of Central Florida. Competing as the primary 400-meter sprinter for the UCF women’s track and field team, she was a four-year varsity letter winner. During her time at UCF, she also obtained master’s degrees in public administration and nonprofit management.  

Hilary Osman

Assistant Director, E-Learning

Hilary Osman is an assistant director of leadership development. In her role, she assists with building and supporting infrastructure and processes associated with e-learning and the learning management system. In addition, she also develops and manages the creation of learning content for the membership and national office staff.

In 2015, Hilary graduated with an undergraduate degree in education from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She began her career working in K-12 education where she taught at schools around Indianapolis. After serving the public-school system for 5 years, she transitioned to adult education with the Goodwill Education Initiative. As a course developer and lead instructor, Hilary developed virtual and hybrid courses for adult learners working towards their high school diploma.  During her time with GEI, she pursued a master’s degree in instructional design with a research focus on contextual e-learning.

Outside of work, Hilary enjoys hiking with her dog, gardening and exploring the city of Indianapolis.

Carrie Shearer

Coordinator

Carrie Shearer, a native of State College, Pennsylvania, spent most of her life as a classically trained dancer with a passion for college athletics. An alumna of the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program, she returned to the national office as a coordinator of leadership development. In her role, she provides support to departmental and event operations, alumni engagement, the DISC program and brand implementation. 

Before starting as coordinator at the NCAA, Shearer served as the Carolina Panthers 2021 football operations training camp intern. In that role, she was responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operations and logistics of the football club’s training camp at Wofford College and athlete and VIP hospitality.

Other stops in her career have included the University of Pittsburgh and Women Leaders in College Sports.

Shearer is a 2019 graduate of Duquesne with a degree in sports marketing and minor in sports information and media. She participated in the 2020 NFL Women’s Careers in Football Forum and was inducted into the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy Hall of Fame in December 2021.

Mia Corners

Leadership Development Intern

Mia Corners began her time as a postgraduate intern for Leadership Development in June 2023. Before joining the leadership development team, Corners graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. 

During her time at Grand Canyon, Corners competed as a member of the track and field team as a long jumper and sprinter. She was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year in 2023 for her athletic achievement and involvement in the campus community.

Conference level, Corners served as the Western Athletic Conference Vice President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. On campus, she served as the President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee where she worked closely with Grand Canyon’s multicultural office and student government. Corners is a proud Building Champions Leadership Academy alumnus. 

Corners is a product of NCAA Leadership Development programming and is a proud participant of the 2022 Career in Sports Forum, and 2022 Inclusion Forum.

Mia is a native of Yuma, Arizona.

Brandon Fisher

Inclusion, Education, and Community Engagement Rotational Intern

Brandon Fisher joined the Leadership Development team as a postgraduate intern in June 2023. Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in strategic communication from The Ohio State University in May 2022, where he was a men's lacrosse student-athlete and an Academic All-Big 10 honoree. While at Ohio State, Fisher also served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. This past year, Brandon worked within student-athlete development at the University of Florida as the assistant coordinator of Gators Experience while pursuing a Master of Science in Sport Management. Currently, he is headed into the second year of the master’s program. Recently, Fisher was recognized as one of the eight John McLendon Minority Postgraduate scholarship recipients.

A product of Leadership Development programming, Fisher attended the 2022 Career in Sports Forum and the 2023 Emerging Leaders Seminar. Fisher is originally from Lorton, Virginia.

Colby Wilson

Leadership Development Intern

Colby Wilson began his time as a postgraduate intern for Leadership Development in June 2023. Before joining the leadership development team, Wilson graduated summa cum laude from Springfield College with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. During his time at Springfield College, Wilson competed as a member of the track and field team as a long jumper and sprinter. He was named NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year in 2023 for his athletic achievement and involvement in the campus community. On campus, Wilson was the president of the Men of Excellence club, an executive board member of New Student Orientation, and served as an intern in the athletic department for student-athlete development, diversity and inclusion, and recruiting and retention.

A product of NCAA programming, Wilson was an attendee of the 2022 Division III Student Immersion Program and the 2022 Career in Sports Forum. Wilson is a native of Tewksbury, MA.