BALTIMORE, Md. – UIndy freshmen student-athletes Sean Craig (basketball) and Emma Gaston (cross country/track & field) recently represented Greyhound Athletics at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, which provided exciting learning opportunities among fellow DII SAs, coaches, athletics professionals, and faculty.
 
Per the NCAA: "The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, created in 1997, has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes who have grown personally and professionally as a result of their attendance. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes."

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"I had an unforgettable experience," said Craig. "From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, filled with about 250 fellow student athletes and 50 administrators from all over the country."
 
Gaston agreed: "The NCAA SALF was an experience unlike any other. This conference aimed to combine three divisions of student-athletes and build leadership skills that explored topics such as inclusion and emotional intelligence."
 
The NCAA aimed to help student-athletes hone key skills to improve in a variety of areas. More from the NCAA: "This best-in-class programming experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness that allows them to realize their potential."
 
"It was an honor to attend the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum and represent UIndy on a national platform with all three NCAA divisions," said SAAC Advisor and Associate A.D. for Academics Andrea Walker. "We learned so many things about ourselves and as leaders at our institutions."
 
For information about the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, review the frequently asked questions about the program. For other questions, email ldevelopment@ncaa.org.
 
More quotes from the three attendees
Craig: "Throughout the weekend, I had the opportunity to engage in lively discussions, listen to insightful talks, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.  The main focal point of the weekend was to learn how to be a better emotionally intelligent leader, which is about including everyone and leading people with different mindsets in more effective ways.  Overall, the forum was a positive and unforgettable experience for me representing UIndy!"
 
Gaston: "It was extremely interactive with keynote speakers, breakout informative sessions, color team groups, and fun activities every night. This forum formed an alliance between all the athletes, no matter the age or background, and left lasting impressions on all of us. I would recommend to anyone that gets the chance to experience this forum to attend and make connections."
 
Walker: "We dug into emotional intelligence, core values, critical conversations, inclusive leadership and using our strengths to lead. It was truly such a valuable experience and I am looking forward to seeing how our student-athletes implement the amazing skills they learned!"