What are your responsibilities in the role of Assistant Athletics Director for the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy at Texas Tech?
I am responsible for the oversight of daily operations, programming, special events and budget for our leadership academy across the pillars of career, character, leadership and wellness. In this role, I also serve as the primary instructor for our High Impact Leadership course that is a 3.0 academic course for sophomore student-athletes and up and have served as the chair of the athletic department Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
What is the most challenging obstacle you feel student athletes will face when their playing days are over?
Adjustment and acclimatization to life post college athletics once they are no longer engulfed in their identity as a student-athlete. Our charge at the Leadership Academy is to make that transition as seamless as possible as we focus on their identity, career interests and holistic development from their arrival on campus as a first time freshman or transfer.
What is the most satisfying thing about your work with student athletes?
Being able to help them develop holistically and apply the life skills and abilities they utilize daily as a student-athlete in other aspects of their lives. I was fortunate to have a lot of professionals during my college experience that served as mentors and advisors to me so being able to pay it forward and do that for our student-athletes is what is most gratifying about the work I do.
How does diversity come into play in your role?
