Texas Tech University Athletics
Leadership Academy Provides Young Staff With Professional Development
March 27, 2020 | Student-Athlete Development
Professional development sessions transpire monthly with Young Professionals on the Rise group
LUBBOCK, Texas – The J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy began the inaugural Young Professionals (YP) on the Rise cohort within the Texas Tech Athletics department staff during the 2019-20 academic year.Â
Â
The cohort-based based program for young professionals sought to help participants gain momentum within their careers in the intercollegiate athletics industry. The program began in October 2019 and will end at the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Professional development sessions transpired monthly with additional sessions including speakers, community events, and networking opportunities.
Â
"Texas Tech Athletics continues to believe people are our biggest asset," said Amy Heard, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Leadership Development. "Because of this, investing into our young professionals is simply a part of our mission to educate, serve and growth Fearless Champions."
Â
Program goals include providing professional development skill sessions that will increase functionality and value within a young professional's current and future roles. The program will also help enhance performance by exploring personal development topics.Â
Â
Ultimately, developing these skills contributes to department wide high-functioning teams. Finally, the YP on the Rise cohort is designed to help prepare participants for career advancement by providing career development programming (resume, interviewing, and management skills).
Â
"During the planning of the cohort-model curriculum, we were intentional about the content of each session and progression of professional development we were providing," said Jessica Gray, Assistant Athletics Director for the Leadership Academy. "Participants were able to learn life skills through active learning activities, presentations and group discussion that will assist them throughout their lives both personally and professionally."
Â
Beyond skill development and insight, participants receive priority nomination and application status for external opportunities such as: NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar, Women Leaders Symposium, JTMTLA Mentor Initiative (upon completion of YP on the Rise) and more.
Â
Eligible applicants for this program are entry-level staff within athletics with three years or less of experience. They were nominated by their supervisor, and then answer a questionnaire about why they wanted to be in the program, and then were selected by the Young Professionals committee and advisors to the committee.
The 2019-2020 class consists of:
Â
The cohort-based based program for young professionals sought to help participants gain momentum within their careers in the intercollegiate athletics industry. The program began in October 2019 and will end at the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Professional development sessions transpired monthly with additional sessions including speakers, community events, and networking opportunities.
Â
"Texas Tech Athletics continues to believe people are our biggest asset," said Amy Heard, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Leadership Development. "Because of this, investing into our young professionals is simply a part of our mission to educate, serve and growth Fearless Champions."
Â
Program goals include providing professional development skill sessions that will increase functionality and value within a young professional's current and future roles. The program will also help enhance performance by exploring personal development topics.Â
Â
Ultimately, developing these skills contributes to department wide high-functioning teams. Finally, the YP on the Rise cohort is designed to help prepare participants for career advancement by providing career development programming (resume, interviewing, and management skills).
Â
"During the planning of the cohort-model curriculum, we were intentional about the content of each session and progression of professional development we were providing," said Jessica Gray, Assistant Athletics Director for the Leadership Academy. "Participants were able to learn life skills through active learning activities, presentations and group discussion that will assist them throughout their lives both personally and professionally."
Â
Beyond skill development and insight, participants receive priority nomination and application status for external opportunities such as: NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar, Women Leaders Symposium, JTMTLA Mentor Initiative (upon completion of YP on the Rise) and more.
Â
Eligible applicants for this program are entry-level staff within athletics with three years or less of experience. They were nominated by their supervisor, and then answer a questionnaire about why they wanted to be in the program, and then were selected by the Young Professionals committee and advisors to the committee.
The 2019-2020 class consists of:
- Stephanie Ceo, Graduate Assistant-Softball
- Christina DeRuyter, Director of On-Campus Recruiting-Football
- Aaron Holmes, Associate Director of Compliance
- Katy Keenan, Graduate Assistant; JTMTLA – Career Development
- Bri Lemaster, Post Graduate Intern- Promotion & Fan Engagement
- Jared Lovin, Post Graduate Inter- Ticket Operations
- Samantha McInerney, Assistant Sports Dietitian
- Kelsey Miller, Account Executive – Ticket Services & Retention
- Jamie Mujeni, Post Graduate Intern-Football Academics
- Morgan Seawright, Post Graduate Intern- Ticket Operations
- Taylor Sinclair, Graduate Assistant – Men's Basketball
- Jaycee Syra, Post Graduate Intern- Promotions & Fan Engagement
- Jessie Varela, Post Graduate Intern- Football Nutrition
- Monique Whaley-Briggs, Graduate Assistant- Women's Basketball
- Harrison Wier, Graduate Assistant-Academics
- Carmichael Wiley, Graduate Assistant- Women's Basketball
- Morgan Young, Post Graduate Intern- Event Operations
Suited for Success Celebratory Dinner
Friday, April 19
Suited for Success Celebratory Dinner
Thursday, April 19
Career Series: Suited for Success
Thursday, April 19
Captain's Circle
Tuesday, December 06