BATON ROUGE – LSU assistant director Ericka Lavender, a member of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletics staff, recently graduated from the NCAA’s 2010 Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females.
Lavender advises the men’s basketball team along with men’s and women’s cross country squads. She also works closely with the track and field program.
Lavender attended four consecutive weekend development sessions and a week-long workshop with the purpose of expanding their experience in leadership roles. The courses included leadership and administration, human resource management, finance and fundraising, booster, public and media relations and inner game of leadership sessions.
“I would like to thank LSU and the NCAA for affording me the opportunity to be a part of the 2010 Ethnic Minority Leadership Institute,” Lavender said. “I would also like to thank my colleagues who were chosen to participant for the opportunity to learn and grow from their diverse experiences and their continued support. The institute has allowed me to develop and expand my skills as a leader, both personally and professionally. It was an amazing experience. I look forward to sharing and applying the knowledge with my other team members here at LSU.”
The NCAA Leadership Institute established its education program in 2001 providing support for the shortage of senior-level ethnic minority female and makes in athletics. Carole Walker, Associate Director in the Cox Communications Center for Student-Athletes, was a member of the 2005-06 class, while Derek Cowherd, Senior Associate Director for the Center, graduated in 2008-09 from the program.
“I’m committed to the personal and professional growth of all our academic and lifeskills team members,” Executive Director Kenneth Miles said. “This commitment enhances our vision to be the premier resource in the country by allowing us review best practices and staying on the cutting edge. Subsequently, this facility is only as good as those who work in it. We, at the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, are extremely proud of Ericka and her accomplishment. She has been with us for almost a full year and has already made tremendous impact within our organization. We are fortunate to have such a talented team member.”
Prior to joining the LSU staff, Lavender worked at North Carolina State and Ohio State. A 2000 graduate of Ashland University in recreation administration, Lavender also received her master’s degree in sports management from Xavier in 2003.