wlsathletics.com

DR. CLAIRE VAN UMMERSEN LEADERSHIP AWARD

Claire is the Vice President of the American Council of Education's (ACE) Center for Effective Leadership.  Her primary responsibility is leadership development for higher education administrators.  She previously served as Vice President of the ACE Department for Women in Higher Education.  Prior to her appointment with the American Council of Education, Van Ummersen served as President of Cleveland State University and as Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire.

Dr. Van Ummersen continues to be part of the WLS since her involvement at the first program initiated by the Horizon Leagues in 2001.  Her support of leadership enhancement for women in athletics and higher education has been an inspiration to the hundreds of individuals who have participated in WLS events and to tens of thousands of students, coaches, professors, and administrators around the country.  Whether serving in her official capacity as part of a national platform or engaging in a one-on-one dialogue with a student, Dr. Van Ummersen's passion and fiery personality is testament to her dedication to advancing women in position and pay.  Honoring Dr. Van Ummersen by creating her own award personifies Claire's professional mission and is a means for the WLS to help promote the legacy of an extraordinary individual who has inspired so many. 

AWARD BENEFITS

The winner of the CVU Leadership Award will be invited to participate in the 2011 WLS Midwest in Indianapolis as a guest of the committee (registration fee waived).  The winner will be requested to make a brief acceptance address during the  luncheon.   

AWARD CRITERIA:

The deserving recipient may be a representative of any division (NCAA I, II, III, NAIA, and/or NJCAA) and shall:

1. Have a minimum of five years of experience in intercollegiate athletics
2. Have demonstrated leadership in the development of women intercollegiate athletics
3. Have embraced diversity through leadership
4. Have been instrumental in participating and/or promoting programming for women in intercollegiate athletics.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE:

To nominate a deserving individual, e-mail Alfreeda Goff [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ] with the name, title, and years of service in intercollegiate athletics.  Also include a paragraph describing why the candidate is deserving of the award.   A sub-committee from the WLS will review the information on each candidate and through a ranking ballot, the winner will be selected. 

DEADLINES

For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PREVIOUS WINNERS

• 2009 - Judith Van Horn, Associate Director of Athletics, University of Michigan
• 2010 - Bridget Belgiovine, Director of Athletics, Wellesley College