Women Leaders in College Sports Announces 2017 Rising Star and Commitment Award Winners
April 25, 2017
Contact: Rachel DeSchepper
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208
Kansas City, Mo. – Women Leaders in College Sports announced today its 2017 Rising Star and Commitment Award recipients. Lindsay Jaffe (University of Cincinnati) was named the Commitment Award winner. Glenna Andrews (University of Portland), Gabriella Dominguez (John Jay College of Criminal Justice), and Ayanna Tweedy (Bowie State University) were named Rising Star Award winners.
"We are thrilled to honor these outstanding young women leaders,” says Patti Phillips, Women Leaders in College Sports chief executive officer. “Each of these four women demonstrate their passion for college athletics each and every day, and we are inspired by their dedication and commitment. I can’t wait to follow what will certainly be long and exciting careers!”
The Commitment Award recognizes an athletics administrator with three to five years’ experience who’s committed to providing high-level leadership and guidance, who goes beyond the call of duty, and who provides outstanding service to their department, conference office, or organization.
The Rising Star Award recognizes junior or senior undergraduate students, graduate students, interns, or volunteers who aspire to a career in intercollegiate athletics. These Women Leaders members demonstrate high-level leadership roles on campus, in a conference office, an organization, or in the community.
Award recipients will also receive scholarships to attend the 2017 Women Leaders National Convention, October 8-10 in Dallas, Texas. The National Convention is the premier conference for women working in intercollegiate athletics, offering unparalleled leadership and professional development, industry training, and networking opportunities.
Award nominations are open through May 5 for the following additional awards: Administrator of the Year, The Nell Jackson Administrator for the Year, and Lifetime Achievement. Women Leaders members may submit their nominations here.
About the Honorees
Lindsay Jaffe currently serves as the assistant athletics director for compliance at the University of Cincinnati, after being hired in November 2012 as the assistant director of compliance.
At UC, Jaffe oversees the day-to-day compliance aspects for football and women's soccer. She also oversees all aspects of financial aid and housing for UC's 500 plus student-athletes and serves as the department's liaison to Housing and the Student Financial Aid Office.
“[Lindsay] is the definition of going above and beyond the call of duty. She sees ways to provide services to enhance the experiences of our student-athletes and staff and runs with it. In fact, we created an entirely new department centered on the services she provides,” said Maggie McKinley, executive senior associate athletics director/SWA in her nomination essay.
Prior to joining the Bearcats' compliance staff, Jaffe worked in the Florida Atlantic University compliance office and served as an intern with Appalachian State University and UNC Greensboro in their athletic departments.
Jaffe earned a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State University in 2011 and a master's in higher education and sports administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2013. She is an adjunct professor in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, teaching sports law.
A native of Westin, Fla., Jaffe was a standout women's soccer student-athlete at Appalachian State, earning first team all-American honors from the Jewish Sports Review following her senior season.
Glenna Andrews completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Lewis & Clark College while also competing on the track and field team. While still an undergraduate student, Andrews worked in the athletic department as the student life Intern for athletic administration. Following graduation, she began at the University of Portland as the compliance and student Services intern.
This year, Andrews splits time between the University of Portland in Administration & Student-Athlete Development and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in Compliance & Championships.
“The goal of any intern is to make themselves invaluable, and Glenna has done that and more,” said Karen Peters, senior associate athletic director at University of Portland, in her nomination essay. “She has been so incredibly impactful in our department, and all of her work demonstrates her commitment to a well-rounded student-athlete development. We are fortunate to have her as part of our Pilot Family.”
Starting this summer Andrews will begin full-time working in Student-Athlete Development at the University of Portland.
Gabriella Dominguez enters her second year at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, but first year as the coordinator of academic success, compliance and eligibility (ACE). She previously served as the compliance intern in summer 2015 before being promoted to compliance coordinator and assistant to the assistant athletic director for ACE in September 2015. Her new position is funded under the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant.
As compliance coordinator, Dominguez assisted the assistant athletic director with monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes; provided academic support and counseling for student-athletes in assigned sports; oversaw NCAA and conference compliance for John Jay’s fifteen varsity sports teams and athletics staff; and ensued that the athletics program is in full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment, amateurism, playing and practice season, and sports camps and clinics.
“Gabby is the embodiment of everything a great young administrator should be: passionate about her student-athletes, a leader, and a hard worker,” said Corey Berg, assistant athletic director for ACE at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, in her nomination essay. “One of the most endearing qualities that I have come to see in Gabby is her authenticity, she is genuinely committed to pursuing her career in athletics.”
Dominguez graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Political Science from Hartwick College. She received her master’s degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College in August 2015.
Ayanna Tweedy served as the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and served as the national representative on the NCAA Division II SAAC committee. She was a panelist at the 2014 NCAA Inclusion Forum, one of the headline speakers at the 2015 Women of Empowerment Conference at Chowan University, and was a presenter at the National IX Conference and Classic in Washington, D.C. Tweedy’s leadership throughout the NCAA SAAC allotted her the opportunity to speak at the 2016 NCAA Leadership Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland.
In December 2016, Tweedy graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Science in Child & Adolescent Studies. She returned to her alma mater, BSU, as a graduate student studying Mental Health Counseling to become a licensed counselor.
Currently Tweedy is an assistant coach for the Bowie State University track and field team where she continues to advocate and be a voice for student-athletes as the SAAC advisor and serve on the CIAA Diversity and Inclusion Forum.
“Ms. Tweedy is an extremely dedicated, compassionate, and dynamic individual,” said Emerald B. Fulmore, associate athletic director for compliance at Bowie State University, in her nomination essay. “Her strength lies in her willingness and ability to succeed as she continuously strives to reach for greater levels of personal and professional achievement in all undertakings.”
About the Women Leaders National Convention
The Women Leaders National Convention is the premier conference for women working in intercollegiate athletics. Attended by athletics directors, conference commissioners, coaches, administrators, and staff from all divisions of intercollegiate athletics, this annual gathering provides three days of unparalleled education, leadership training and networking. The 2017 event will be held October 8-10 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
About Women Leaders in College Sports
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; www.womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.