INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA has selected its cohort for the 2023-24 Pathway Program, the yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for the next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
 
Megan Wilson, Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Dubuque was one of five NCAA Division III selections, one of 21 in NCAA Division I, II, and III, and the lone selection from the American Rivers Conference to have been chosen. Wilson joined UD in July of 2022 and most recently served as the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Chair.
 
The Pathway Program, under the direction of 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. During the year, the 21 participants will be paired with and have regularly scheduled meetings with a campus or conference mentor. The mentors include directors of athletics, conference commissioners and school presidents, among others in leadership roles. 
 
The Pathway Program is designed to help cement their leadership purpose and enhance their skills in areas that focus on strategic planning; fundraising; message articulation; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational leadership; hiring processes; and engagement with search firms. The 2023-24 cohort are meeting`  at the end of June for a week long education session in Indianapolis and will return in October for more programming and to observe their divisions' respective governance meetings. The program will conclude in the summer of 2024.
 
"The 2022-23 cohort saw four learners ascend into the director of athletics or conference commissioner role, as well as five additional learners promoted into elevated positions that bring them one step closer to leading an athletics department or athletic conference," said DeeDee Merritt, director of leadership development at the NCAA. "The Pathway Program continues to illustrate why it is a signature developmental opportunity for senior-level administrators in the membership. We are excited to embark on another year of transformative change with the 2023-24 cohort and extend sincere thanks to our selection committee for their work."
 
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 282 program alumni, with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.
 
The following have been selected for the 2023-24 NCAA Pathway Program:
 
Kristie Bowers            
Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator - Boston University                         DI
 
Adele Burk                
Associate Director for Championships and Compliance - New England Small College Athletic Conf.      DIII
 
Rob Carson                
Associate Athletics Director for Academic Success, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement - Furman Univ. DI
 
Doug Chin                 
Associate Commissioner - Commonwealth Coast Conference                                                               DIII
 
Kristi Giddings
Deputy Commissioner - Big West Conference                                                                                       DI
 
Kendra Greene
Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Affairs/SWA- North Carolina Central  University                             DI
 
Colin Hargis
Senior Associate Athletics Director/ Marketing and Ticket Services – North Carolina State University       DI
Ashton Henderson     
Deputy Athletics Director/ Championship Resources - Michigan State University                                    DI
 
Ragean Hill                
Executive Associate Athletics Director – UNC-Charlotte                                                                         DI
 
Taurian Houston
Executive Associate Athletics Director for Administration - Dartmouth College                                       DI
 
Michael Koehler
Associate Director of Athletics - Rockhurst University                                                                             DII
 
Lauren Freeman Leister
Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator - Florida Gulf Coast Univ.  DI
 
Nicole Levering         
Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA/Head Softball Coach - Georgia Southwestern State University         DII
 
Deborah Rodgers
Deputy Chief Athletics Director - Tuskegee University                                                                            DII
 
Chris Spells
Asst. Athletics Director for Facility Operations, Recreation and Engagement - Claremont-Mudd-Scripps DIII
 
DaShena Stevens       
Deputy Athletics Director - University of the Incarnate Word                                                                  DI
 
Erin Sullivan
Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator – University of Wisconsin-Stout                     DIII
 
Daniel Teliski
Associate Director of Athletics/ Compliance Director – Gannon University                                              DII
 
Hayley Treadway       
Senior Associate Athletics Director/ Compliance and 
Student Success/ Senior Woman Administrator - University of Wisconsin-Parkside                                 DII
 
Megan Wilson
Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics – University of Dubuque      DIII
 
Tim Wise
Senior Associate Athletics Director/ Facilities, Events and Revenue - University of Notre Dame               DI
 
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For further information, please contact Paul Misner, director of sports information, at 563.589.3168 or pmisner@dbq.edu.