Three Student-Athletes Selected to Participate in the Female & Ethnic Minority Mentoring Program

Three Student-Athletes Selected to Participate in the Female & Ethnic Minority Mentoring Program

The Midwest Conference announced the inaugural class of the Female & Ethnic Minority Mentoring Program. From Lake Forest College, junior Amy Budde (women’s hockey), senior Kyra Vidas (women’s handball), and Julia Unterseher (women’s hockey) were selected to participate in the program. Budde, Vidas, and Unterseher were three of 10 selected to represent the inaugural class.

The program seeks to mentor and educate female and ethnic minority students who aspire to work in athletics following graduation. Over the next seven to eight months, mentees will meet with mentors to discuss career goals, chart pathways to achieve these goals, and gain invaluable working experience. In order to successfully complete the program, each mentee is expected to log 100 hours. These hours can be obtained through one-on-one meetings, on-site performance, and by attending conference-wide sessions.

Budde will receive guidance from Assistant Athletic Director and Head Volleyball Coach Heather Noll. Budde mentioned she is “excited to learn more about collegiate athletics, to develop relationships with administrators, and to gain insight about the leadership and other skills required to pursue a career in athletics.” 

“I am excited to learn what the program has to offer and to gain a better idea of what goes on behind the scenes in an athletic office,” commented Unterseher. Unterseher was paired with Marketing and Events Director Ashley Wanland and Marketing and Events Coordinator and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Hannah Douglas.

When discussing the opportunity with Vidas who was paired with Director of Athletics and Senior Advisor to the President Jackie Slaats, Vidas noted that, “I feel honored to be chosen because of my passion for sports and for the ability to be a part of a program that leads me on a career path of my interest.” Vidas goes on to say, “I am also excited work more closely with Coach Slaats as she is someone who is highly respected across collegiate athletics.”

The Female and Ethnic Minority Program was made possible through an initial NCAA Division III grant funding contribution and through ongoing support from the league. In order to learn more about the program, click here

The 10 individuals who make up the inaugural class include:

Kiana Arango – Knox
Diamond Boyd - Cornell
Amy Budde - Lake Forest
Jesus Flores - Knox
Kayla Morrissey - Grinnell
Kaitlin Poe - Illinois College
Jacqueline Reilly - Illinois College
Tegan Rock – Beloit
Julia Unterseher - Lake Forest
Kyra Vidas - Lake Forest

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