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GLENSIDE, Pa. (Conference News) – The Mid-Atlantic Regional Commissioner’s Association (MARCA) held its first Ethnic Minority Careers in Athletics Symposium on Sunday, March 26 at Arcadia University.
The symposium was developed for students who are aspiring to or just beginning a career in athletics. The program aimed to enrich participants’ skills, expand their professional network and promote the recruitment and retention of ethnic minorities within athletics, including the intercollegiate setting.
The symposium was funded through special diversity grants received from the NCAA Office of Inclusion, NCAA Division III, and several Division III conferences.
The one-day event began with Averett University Executive Vice President Charles Harris discussing the Landscape of Minorities in Athletics.
Following a break that allowed participants to have facilitators review resumes, Assistant Director of Division III Governance Communications Adam Skaggs presented different areas of working for the NCAA through an interactive game of Jeopardy.
Penn State – Harrisburg Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Danielle Lynch spoke to the group about building a personal brand. Lynch spoke to the importance of having a strong identity and using a personal brand to help elevate a career.
State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Associate Commissioner Megan Cross and Stevenson University Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Gary Stewart provided information and valuable tips how to prepare for a job interview.
Later, the attendees had the opportunity to ask the 14 facilitators about the journeys each took to get to their current place of employment.
“Just hearing about the different paths that everyone on the panel took was fascinating,” said Rahsaan Ellis, a student at Salisbury University. “Not one person's path was the same and that was encouraging to hear.
“It was great to hear from people working in the field that have continued to grow and expand their roles. I now have a better understanding of what it may take to make a career in collegiate athletics,” Ellis continued.
Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Commissioner Adrienne Mullikin was equally impressed with the group. “I was so impressed by the eagerness and curiosity of the students,” said Mullikin. “They asked some very insightful questions and really seemed interested in the answers and advice we gave.”
The featured event of the day was with keynote speaker Colgate University Vice President and Director of Athletics Vicky Chun. Attendees were able to submit questions to Chun, who answered throughout the chat.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland Senior Woman Administrator and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Crystal Gibson and St. Joseph’s College Long Island Assistant Vice President and Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation Shantey Hill presented “what to expect at the beginning of your career.” Gibson and Hill provided insight to the struggles entry level athletic administrators might face when first starting careers.
After lunch, Arcadia University Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Justin Scott and Cabrini University Athletic Communications Director David Howell gave a presentation on the many different roles an athletic administrator can wear to close out the programing.