Leadership Forum Beneficial for Bison
Three members of the Bethany College athletics community had the opportunity to attend the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum recently and came back changed individuals because of it.
Senior soccer player Santiago Bruni and senior track & field athlete Alexis Mahaffey, along with Interim Athletic Director Jen Windmiller attended the forum in Charlotte, N.C. With just 0.03 percent of all NCAA student-athletes selected to participate, Bethany having two of the participants in a huge accomplished for the institution.
"The forum was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and exceeded any expectations I had," said Windmiller. "I am beyond grateful to have experienced it with two of Bethany's finest student-athletes. Santi and Alexis showed courage and strength in diving deep into self-reflection on their leadership and demonstrated a commitment to what the program offered. I am proud of their ability to be vulnerable, stay in a growth mindset, and develop skills that will take them far beyond their athletic and academic careers."
The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, created in 1997, has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes who have grown personally and professionally as a result of their attendance. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes. This best-in-class programming experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness that allows them to realize their potential.
"The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum was an experience that changed my life by teaching me what true leadership means: embracing self, forging meaningful connections, and growing both individually and as a part of a team," said Bruni. "Being part of the Orange Team was unforgettable. It wasn't just about building leadership skills; rather it was about creating lifelong relationships and learning how to lead with empathy, authenticity and purpose."
Mahaffey added, "The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to reinforce my purpose as a leader while learning from fellow student-athletes and administrators. We discussed the concepts of growth mindset, self-awareness, inclusivity, and so much more that positively contribute to our roles as leaders. I am immensely grateful for the experience and connections it brought me. Collaborating within the Pink Team inspired me in so many ways, and I will never forget the impact it has had."
Both participating student-athletes and Windmiller returned from the forum with enhanced leadership capabilities that allow them to thrive personally, professionally and even athletically.
Participants were assigned to a "color team" with about 30 other attendees, and within those frequent color team sessions, they worked in an open environment with trained facilitators and engaged in discussions regarding leadership and its many components. They built a family of team members that encouraged vulnerability, challenged one another with diverse perspectives, and provided unconditional support during and after the program.
Active learning was a priority for all facilitators and speakers at Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is the participants' ability to learn and grow alongside newly forged connections who often remain valuable for decades to come.
