Governance and Leadership Academy Q&A
Last updated 20.10.2023
What is the goal of the Governance and Leadership Academy?
This NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy is designed to provide minority and women participants training on NAIA governance issues and strategic initiatives, an introduction to NAIA committee work, prepare them for NAIA committee service, and position them for opportunities to advance their careers within the NAIA.
What topics will be covered?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) topics; Mentoring; Leadership; Effective Communication; NAIA Governance Structure; Committee Service, Eligibility/Compliance, Fundraising, Marketing, and much more.
Who should attend?
The NAIA invites Conference’s to select a minority and/or female administrator, who is seeking to either start their career in athletics administration, advance in their current administrative position, or transition from coaching to an administrative role to attend the NAIA Governance Academy. Students or student-athletes are not eligible for the Governance and Leadership Academy unless they are in a working capacity (e.g., Staff, Administrator, Coach, etc.) within the athletics department. Each Conference representative is responsible for ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements are met.
For the purposes of the NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy, a minority is described pursuant to federal guidelines below:
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Asian
- Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
- Hispanic or Latinx: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
When will this be held?
The NAIA Governance Academy will be held the day before the NAIA National Convention on April 4th, 2024, at Park University (Mo.).
How do we select a representative?
Each conference will be allowed to nominate a minority or female individual to participate each year, who is actively searching for a career in athletics administration. Attendees need to be a graduate student currently in an athletics department, currently in a role with an NAIA athletics, or an NAIA professional from across the NAIA membership who has not served in the governance process. (This is not intended for undergrad students).
Who pays for the attendee?
There is no payment needed for attendee.
Is there an application fee?
No, there will be no application fee for any participant.
Is the NAIA National Convention fee waived?
Unfortunately, the NAIA cannot waive the National Convention fee. It is up to the Conferences to determine how this fee is paid. Note, the Conference, institution, and/or participant may pay for the cost.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for Conferences to submit participant nominations is January 1, 2024.
Is there a discount for students to attend the NAIA National Convention?
Any graduate students attending the NAIA National Convention following the Governance and Leadership Academy will get a student discount rate of $125.
Why are we limiting this to individuals in a working capacity?
The NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy is designed to meet the NAIA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic pillar and goals, which includes advancing the opportunities of minorities and women in intercollegiate athletics. Through the program, participants will explore potential careers in intercollegiate athletics and chart their career paths. Any person that is in a working capacity, including graduate students, (i.e., administrator, staff, coach taking on administrative duties, etc.) within the athletics department, regardless of title, and is a minority and/or female can be nominated by their institution and/or selected by their conference to attend.
Can someone who is just starting in the business, like an Assistant Athletics Director or the compliance person who has only been doing their job for 1-2 years attend?
Yes, any person that is in a working capacity, including graduate students, (i.e., administrator, staff, coach taking on administrative duties, etc.) within the athletics department, regardless of title, and is a minority or female can be nominated by their institution and selected by their Conference to attend. The Governance and Leadership Academy is not intended for undergraduate students.
Where is the preferred hotel for participants to stay and how do they reserve their room?
The preferred hotel is the Kansas City Marriott Downtown located at 200 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO, 64105. Participants (their school and/or conference) are encouraged to reserve their room through the Convention hotel link found at www.NAIA.org/convention.
The Governance and Leadership Academy takes place at Park University (Mo.). How will participants get to Park University from the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel?
Transportation from the hotel to Park University and from Park University to the hotel will be provided.
