Pathway to A.D. is D.C. for Scafariello

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University associate athletic director, senior woman administrator and compliance coordinator, Kelly Scafariello, has been selected to participate in the 2015 NCAA Pathway Program, a yearlong experiential learning opportunity.

Pathway participants representing all three NCAA divisions will gather together for the first time at the 2015 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. These in-person sessions will include opportunities to engage with university presidents, who will shed light on the role of athletics directors, reinforce the value of athletics on campus and provide candid answers to participants' questions. Along with NCAA Convention programming and governance meetings, program participants will participate in a simulation of their first staff meeting as a director of athletics, receive advice on beginning their first 90 days in an athletics director chair, and learn best practices from current and former athletics directors.

"The Pathway Program is an unmatched opportunity, exposing highly qualified athletics administrators to the latest information and robust experiences, delivered by practiced experts in the field," said Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president of education and community engagement and chief inclusion officer. "Administrators who complete the program not only gain technical knowledge but graduate with confidence and quality decision-making skills."

Since its inception in 1997, the Pathway Program (formerly known as the NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program) has produced more than 90 alumni. Nearly 25 percent of participants have gone on to become directors of athletics, while more than 60 percent have received promotions in their careers.

This year's Pathway class was selected from a pool of more than 200 applicants because each member demonstrated the ability to lead in his or her current professional role and also possesses experience with staff supervision and other key facets of athletics administration. That experience includes sport oversight, fiscal or budget management, coaching, senior woman administrator designation, internal operations or external operations.

For the senior-level athletics administrators who participate, the program provides an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into every facet of an athletics department, preparing them to become well-rounded leaders who are equipped with the tools an effective athletics director needs. Each program participant is mentored by a current NCAA athletics director and a current university chancellor or president who have committed to helping the Pathway participants grow during the program and after its completion.

NCAA leadership development, located at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, coordinates and facilitates cutting-edge education and customized training for student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators. The staff annually hosts more than 20 programs at little or no cost to members, using expert curriculum designed to enhance the well-being and personal development of NCAA student-athletes. It also provides ongoing education and topical training to athletics professionals who identify and serve student-athlete needs.

For more information, visit ncaa.org/leadershipdevelopment.