CLEVELAND – Since 2011-12, the Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) and the NCAA have partnered to create a women and ethnic minorities mentoring program that provides a unique opportunity for women and all those who identify as ethnic minorities interested in a career as a Division II director of athletics. This year, a total of 9 mentees were selected. 
 
"We are excited to announce this year's D2 ADA Women & Ethnic Minorities Mentoring Program pairings," said D2 ADA President Jenn Bell, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Converse University. "This program connects women and people from historically underrepresented backgrounds, helping them grow as leaders and ensuring diverse perspectives shape the future of our profession." 
 
This experience partners each successful candidate with a current Division II director of athletics at another institution for enhancing career development. Mentors provide yearlong guidance and role modeling that encourages a commitment to a long-range career goal of serving as a Division II director of athletics. 
 
The objectives of the program include, but are not limited to, assisting the mentees with successfully navigating a career in athletics administration, providing an enriched learning experience that may enhance career mobility, and helping mentees to set personal and professional goals for the future while encouraging a healthy balance between home, work, and recreation. 
 
Please see below for a complete listing of the 2026-27 mentor/mentees. 

About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 62nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.