Leadership Academy Promotes Staff Development at NCAA Seminar

LUBBOCK, Texas – Since its inception, the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy has prided itself on educating Texas Tech student-athletes for success as leaders.

In addition to this role, the leadership academy has paid dividends among the more than 200 employees in the Texas Tech athletics department, providing the resources for leadership training, conferences and on-site lectures from various guest speakers. The academy also provides for an annual mentorship program and most recently added a thriving young professionals development program.

Thanks to this resource, four Tech staff members - Meagan Kraatz (assistant athletic advisor), Harrison Wier (academics graduate assistant), Kayla Stephens (academics graduate assistant) and Jaycee Syra (marketing coordinator) – were able to attend the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar held at the NCAA's headquarters in Indianapolis this past February.

"My experience at the Emerging Leaders Seminar was humbling, motivating and just an all-out amazing experience I was so thankful to be a part of," Stephens said. "This was a great opportunity to not only become more educated in my field but to meet even more people that are just as passionate about what we are doing as I am."

The seminar focused on "effective leadership, educational and transitional programing" for roughly 200 current graduate assistants and interns from across the country. It is one of several seminars hosted by the NCAA or various organizations each year that are tremendous resources for many Tech employees who are only beginning their careers in collegiate athletics.

"Attending the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar was special," Syra said. "I can't stop thinking of the people I met and the things I learned. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at NCAA headquarters, and I'm eager to attend more leadership seminars and conventions in the future."

Tech now has 10 current staff members who have attended the seminar in recent years at various institutions. That group includes Rickie Alvarez (Red Raider Club), Carson Hadaway (Red Raider Club), Sable Lee (Talkington Leadership Academy), Lamarr Pottinger (Assistant A.D./Talkington Leadership Academy), Sean McCarthy (Compliance) and Audrey Bickel (Red Raider Club) along with this year's four attendees.

"The Emerging Leaders Seminar was a positive growth experience for me," Kraatz said. "Not only did I get to listen and learn from some of the best in intercollegiate athletics, but I also saw myself in a more confident and outgoing manner."

Inspired by legendary Hall of Fame Coach Marsha Sharp, the J.T. & Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy positions participants to discover, prepare, implement and empower themselves in the four areas of career, character, leadership and wellness.

The trip to Indianapolis was simply part of that mission.

"I had a fantastic experience in Indianapolis and cannot thank the Talkington Leadership Academy enough for the opportunity of a lifetime," Harrison said. "I will take the experiences I had in Indianapolis with me for all my professional career and cherish them even more."

Texas Tech University Athletics

Leadership Academy Promotes Staff Development at NCAA Seminar

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