INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA has selected 23 athletics administrators from member colleges, universities and athletics conferences for the 2008-09 Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females. 

    The NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females is a program where athletics administrators receive enhanced training and acquire skill sets necessary to advance to senior-level positions and leadership roles in athletics.  

    The program was established in 2001 following a recommendation from the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee to address the critical shortage of senior-level ethnic minority females and males in athletics at the campus and conference levels. According to the NCAA’s latest study of race demographics in intercollegiate athletics, minorities hold just 13.2 percent of positions in athletics administration.

    The 23 athletics administrators selected for the program are:

• Omar Banks, director of ticket operations, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Gordon Bayne, assistant athletics director-event management, University of California, Berkeley

• Jean Boyd, associate athletics director in student-athlete development, Arizona State University

• Deedee Brown-Campbell, assistant athletics director in academic support, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

• Mary Clark, director of athletic academic services, Saint Louis University

• Cornelius Clark, academic counselor, Vanderbilt University

• Sherie Cornish, assistant athletics director for business operations, Norfolk State University

• Derek Cowherd, associate director of academics, Louisiana State University

• Stephanie Ellison, assistant athletics director for compliance service, Clemson University

• Reginald Garrett, director of marketing, University of Virginia

• Adrien Harroway, director of academics for football, University of Virginia

• Eric Hart, assistant director of academic services, Appalachian State University

• Mary Hill, internal operations/special events and assistant academic enhancement coordinator, South Carolina State University

• Derrick Magee, assistant athletics director for finance & internal affairs, University of the Pacific

• Chevonne Mansfield, assistant sports information director, Howard University

• Ruquel McKinnie, academic counselor, University of Michigan

• L. Renae Myles, assistant athletics director, Southwest Baptist University

• Tyra Pryor, human resources coordinator, NCAA national office

• Harry Stinson III, director of communications & marketing assistant, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

• Shera White, director of public relations, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

• Jason Wilson, assistant athletics director, George Washington University

• Eric Wood, director of student-athlete programs & compliance, Atlantic Coast Conference

• Douglas Wright, regional director of development, Oregon State University

    The Leadership Institute is led by a diverse group of consultants and leaders in business, higher education and intercollegiate athletics.  The 12-month Institute is structured to enhance job-related competencies in selected areas through the completion of four professional development sessions, practical work experiences and a week-long intensive workshop.  The participants gain valuable networking experiences and also gain insight into other opportunities within athletics.   Sessions are held at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    To be eligible for the Leadership Institute, participants must be nominated from NCAA institutions and athletic conferences.  The applicants chosen were required to submit a current resume, a personal statement and a letter of recommendation.

   The sessions are:

Session I:  Leadership and Administration

June 27-29, 2008

This workshop focuses on the impact of leadership at an organization, including the shaping of the organizational vision, climate, culture and behavior; managing change; strategic planning; and working with boards and committees.

Session II: Human Resource Management

August 8-10, 2008

This workshop focuses on recruitment, supervision and training employees; working with people in high-profile positions; multicultural and diversity issues; human resource legal issues; and mentoring student-athletes.