In an effort to highlight the NAADD Diversity Working Group, the Association will feature one member from the Working Group on a weekly basis over the next several months. This working group was created back in July 2020 to serve as an advisory group to the NAADD Executive Committee, in addition to cultivating the pipeline for minorities in collegiate athletics development. The NAADD Diversity Working Group aims to be a support network for minorities in the industry through education, advocacy, and awareness.This week, the spotlight turns to Alicia English of Kennesaw State University. 

Name: Alicia English
Job Title: Assistant Athletics Director 
Number of years in your position: 1.5 years 
Institution: Kennesaw State University
Twitter: @SportyDivaAE
Email: alicia.english@kennesaw.edu

Tell us about the last two positions you have held.
My last two positions have been focused on External and generating revenue and fundraising dollars for the Athletic department.
At my time at Abilene Christian, I managed and oversee all external relations including Marketing, Ticketing and Fundraising. My greatest highlight from my time at ACU was being a Primary Team Administrator for the 2019 NCAA Tournament for both our Men's & Women's Basketball team. During my role at Tennessee, I was focused on raising annual giving dollars for the Tennessee Fund and cultivating new donors through our initiatives.

When/why did you first become involved in NAADD?
I become involved in NAADD when I was a Diversity Scholarship Recipient in 2016 and attended FOAD! Attending FOAD at the NACDA Convention was essential to my development as a fundraiser! That year connected me to so many more female and minority fundraisers that I was not aware of in our industry.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment to date?
My biggest accomplishment was while I was at Abilene Christian, I established the Go Pink initiative which engaged our women's sports team and honored breast cancer awareness at our athletic events. Through this initiative, we were able to raise funds for women to receive FREE mammograms' who otherwise would not be able to because of financial costs.
It has grown so much since it was first started to now, ACU female athletes write encouragement cards to current breast cancer patients even after I have left the department.

Provide the membership a few thoughts on how you hope this Working Group can impact NAADD and our members long term?
I hope this working group can be used for several things to impact NAADD. First, hopefully we can be a resource or sounding board for ways to grow NAADD and the involvement. Second, I hope we will received personal development of our that can prepare us to eventually serve on the NAADD Executive Committee or somewhere in the organization. This is a great "Next step" after FOAD for those needing more engagement with members.

Tell us something unique/interesting/special about yourself.
I started my own business in 2015, AE Speaks, with an emphasis to encourage and empower anyone through consulting or motivational speaking.