FSU's Sara Higley Chosen To Participate In NCAA Pathway Program

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University's Sara Higley, who serves as the Bulldogs' senior associate athletics director for internal operations and senior woman administrator, has been chosen to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program as announced Monday by the NCAA Leadership development office in partnership with the Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity.

The Pathway Program spans the course of a year, providing participants with many engagement opportunities through experiential learning. The program focuses on advancing participants to the top role in an athletics department or conference office, while building their skills to thrive in their current duties.

The diverse curriculum features case study assignments, exploration of culture development, sessions led by higher education and athletics leadership, and a thorough mock interview and selection process.

"The Pathway Program represents one of our most impactful offerings in NCAA leadership development. Through our engaging, immersive and practical curriculum, we equip our participants with the skills and network they need to best transform the lives of their student-athletes," said DeeDee Merritt, director of leadership development. "The program has a long history of elevating participants to achieve their career aspirations and a vast alumni base containing the most influential leaders in college sports."

The lingering precautions related to the global pandemic have prevented the group of administrators from meeting in person this summer, but they will dive into an engaging stretch of virtual programming and connection June 21-30. Esteemed speakers will join each day to facilitate critical conversations on an array of personal and professional development topics.

After their initial virtual meeting, participants will be separated divisionally, with Division I administrators and Division II and III administrators receiving division-specific programming throughout the remainder of the academic year.

"The 2021-22 Pathway cohort represents a phenomenal, diverse group of administrators who have demonstrated impressive leadership capabilities and potential to flourish as college athletics' next wave of capable decision-makers," Merritt said. "We are immensely excited to play a role in facilitating the professional journeys of our 22 cohort members."

Over the past 24 years, the acclaimed Pathway Program has produced nearly 200 alumni. Sixty-three of those participants (31%) have become directors of athletics or conference commissioners, including 55 (87%) who identify as minorities, women or both.

Higley, who has been with the Bulldogs in a full-time capacity since the 2011-12 season, oversees the department's comprehensive compliance program as required by the NCAA, GLIAC, WCHA and Ferris State University. She also monitors the department's Title IX efforts, serves as the athletics department's NCAA Diversity/Inclusion Officer along with being the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

As part of her current role, Higley also has a primary focus on internal operations including compliance, budget overview and department gender equity efforts. She provides administrative oversight of the women's basketball, women's soccer, men's and women's golf and strength and conditioning programs. Higley also is the athletic department liaison on various committees, including the Athletic Advisory Committee, while serving on the department's senior leadership team and as chair of the FSU Compliance Committee.

Higley is one of 10 individuals chosen for the NCAA Pathway Program from either NCAA Division II or III schools as part of this year's class.

Visit this link for the complete NCAA release:
https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/22-administrators-chosen-pathway-program