One Question Leadership Podcast

@1QLeadership Question: How can student-athlete development programs be effectively built and measured within collegiate athletics? Dr. Marissa Nichols, Sr. Associate AD for Student-Athlete Experience and Director of the Cameron Institute at Cal, shares her approach to creating measurable student-athlete development initiatives—from conducting needs assessments and aligning with institutional strategic goals to setting clear metrics for measuring program outcomes like career placement, mental well-being, and alumni engagement. She also talks about the three skill sets she brings as a college athletics executive: Program building Engaging stakeholder to get resources Measuring outcomes Nichols, a future TEDx speaker, believes the direction of college athletics should be refocused on the student-athlete experience. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How can an internship directly impact your early years as a young professional? Brandon Fisher, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development at UNT, and Colby Wilson, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development at Pitt, discuss the mindset and competencies they learned during the NCAA Post Graduate Internship Program, and now apply during their first full-time job as young professionals. Fisher - Understand how your supervisor operates Wilson - Advocate for yourself When asked where they see themselves in the future. Fisher wants to merge his passion for sport with his passion for leading people, while Wilson is driven by the impact of developing talent. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How can college athletics departments best support student-athletes in navigating the transition out of competitive sports, particularly in addressing the challenges of athlete identity and life after sports? Caitlin Broadwell, Athletics Case Manager at Long Beach State, discusses the curriculum used in a class for senior student-athletes on campus. The semester long class focuses on values, developing community, find hobbies away from sports, and other foundation building aspects that help athletes feel better prepared for retiring from competition and the inevitable "Athlete Identity Syndrome" that comes with retirement. Broadwell, on her way to becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, developed the curriculum used in the semester-long class for senior student-athletes. She was a multi-school and multi-sport transfer, finishing her career as a beach volleyball player at LSU. With experience from playing, research, and practical knowledge, Broadwell brings passion and purpose to the mental health in athletics industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is there a success blueprint for leadership in college athletics? Dr. Jacqui Schuman, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at UMASS-Boston, asks Anthony Azama, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics at WashU, about his blueprint for success as a leader in college athletics. Azama describes his view on college athletics and its benefits to all involved. Passion does not run on fumes the way purpose does College athletics teaches people how to respond to failure better than anybody else on a college campus Both Schuman and Azama were student-athletes at Vanderbilt before starting their respective journeys in college athletics administration. They reflect on their experiences and how they have shaped some of their current thoughts on leadership. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can work-life integration be a necessity when considering future employers? Yulander Wells, Jr. , Deputy Athletics Director for Finance, Operations, Revenue & Business Strategy at Notre Dame shares how family has been an integral part of his career in college athletics. He also covers how his business background informs his leadership style, especially given Notre Dame's non-traditional approach to athletics. Wells emphasizes the importance of integrating family into his professional life and modeling this approach for younger staff members. – One Question Leadership Podcast – Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Podcast: What happens when someone who always wanted to be in the background assumes the leadership position? This conversation initially took place on AthleticDirectorU.com. Deana Barnes, President at Paciolan, shares insight into her collective leadership strategy and how her longevity with the organization provides her with perspective. The conversation took place after Barnes had been in the position for roughly a year. She talks about vulnerability of leadership, and feeling better suited in the No. 2 position. She also talks about being a former point guard and how it translates in her leadership style. – One Question Leadership Podcast – Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How does a Vice President of Student Affairs develop a philosophy on college athletics? Sarah Comstock, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at University of Puget Sound, discusses how she developed her philosophy on athletics after the department was recently reassigned to report to her. She talks about her input in creating a profile for hiring a new director of athletics. Comstock also gives insight into the importance of the position and how athletics fits into the mission of the university. Student-Athletes make up 33% of students on campus Rewriting Student Affairs strategic plan to include the student-athlete experience Comstock talks about studying other schools and figuring out what works best for Puget Sound in terms of leadership for the department. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown