Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute

For the last 18 years, the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute has been a staple to close out the NACDA & Affiliates Convention and has assisted many senior-level athletics administrators in their career path to the AD chair. To continue to enhance the pipeline of administrators who are ready to take the next step in becoming an athletics director, in 2024 NACDA announced the Association would be expanding the Mentoring Institute to provide year-round programming for its participants.
The deadline to apply for the 2026 NACDA U Professional Development Grant has passed.


WHAT: The comprehensive Mentoring Institute is available for interested and qualified individuals for a registration fee of $500, however, administrators must apply and be selected to participate through the NACDA U professional development grant. Participants learn the essentials of what it takes to position yourself for the AD role, along with how to manage your department after being selected. For an overview of session topics, you can view the 2025 agendas here: Summer Session \| Fall Session. WHEN: Part One of the Mentoring Institute takes place over two days on the back half of the NACDA & Affiliates Convention. The 2026 Summer Session is scheduled to take place June 9-10, 2026 at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Part Two will be held September 20-22, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo. WHO: This program is designed for senior-level administrators within intercollegiate athletics departments who are one to two steps away from pursuing an Athletics Director (AD) role. Ideal candidates are those who currently hold significant leadership responsibilities within their respective departments and who demonstrate a clear trajectory toward becoming an AD in the near future. Participants should be ambitious, forward-thinking, and actively preparing for the transition into top-level departmental leadership. Mentoring Institute participants must apply and are selected through the NACDA U Professional Development Grant Program. The grant is managed on a reimbursement basis to the recipient's institution and allocates $1,000 total for registration and travel expenses associated with the Two-Part Mentoring Institute program. Questions regarding the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute should be directed to Katie Hein (khein@nacda.com).
Hear from past Mentoring Institute participants who are now sitting athletics directors...
"The NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute has become one of the highlights of my professional development journey, both before and even after I assumed "the chair." The comradery and transparency shared at the Institute is second to none. I would highly encourage any administrator with aspirations of professional growth, intentional networking and personal fulfillment to attend – you won't be disappointed!" -- Bryan Blair, Director of Athletics, Syracuse University

"The opportunity to attend the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute was an eye-opening experience that highlighted a path for me to get where I am today. Without question, many of the items discussed helped to shape my approach on a multitude of topics today making me a better administrator. Simply put, the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute was game-changing and exposed me to a level that I had not been exposed to prior to attending. If you haven't considered attending, you need to correct that now and begin preparing yourself for the future!" -- Jason Coomer, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Lindenwood University

"I originally got involved with NACDA as a young person who wanted to get ahead and learn how to become an athletics director. I did my homework to learn about the Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute and I'm proud to say that I've attended at least four or five throughout my career. It's safe to say that I would not have become a director of athletics if not for my attendance at these events." -- Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, Director of Athletics, University of Akron

"We all want to continue to learn, grow and connect within our industry as we face some of the most dynamic times in the history of intercollegiate athletics. NACDA's Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute provides aspiring athletics directors with candid insight and wisdom shared by the nation's best intercollegiate athletics thought leaders and affords fantastic opportunities to connect with colleagues, search firms and other experts. Having been a participant, a speaker and moderator, I know that each time the Institute comes to an end, I walk away enriched, inspired by my colleagues and appreciative for NACDA pouring into this valuable program." -- Desireé Reed-Francois, R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics, University of Arizona