Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Melissa Dawson Completes NCAA Pathway Program
2/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
The program's participants focused on the ability to identify how individual values fit into the philosophy and execution of leadership within intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, they worked to develop the knowledge and skill sets in areas such as budgeting, strategic planning and fundraising, and then learned how to apply those skills to current job responsibilities, which could then be utilized during a transition to director of athletics. Additionally, each participant was paired with a mentor from within the NCAA membership to assist during the year-long opportunity. Dawson was paired with Old Dominion President John Broderick and Todd Stansbury, vice president and director of athletics at UCF and also had the opportunity to engage with past participants and key individuals in the industry while participating in sessions at the NCAA Convention. Over the duration of the program, Dawson and the other participants observed the spring and fall governance sessions at the NCAA national office and participated in additional professional development in Boston.
Additional elements included in the Pathway programming included education, as well as dialogue, on hot-button topics and current issues. Skill building took place in the areas of values clarification, leadership, media training, diversity and inclusion, and provided an in-depth look and introduction to search firms and the hiring process within collegiate athletics.
Since its inception in 1997, the Pathway Program (formerly the Fellows Program) has produced more than 90 alumni. Nearly 25 percent of the participants have gone on to become directors of athletics, while more than 60 percent have received promotions in their careers.
