GREENWOOD, IN - The NCAA Division III Governance staff selected thirty participants for the third class of the Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program, a professional development initiative hosted annually in December at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis. This year’s honorees include two Assistant Directors of Athletics Communications at North Coast Athletic Conference institutions: Oberlin College’s Sophia Anderson and DePauw University’s Marissa Weiss.

These Division III athletic communicators were selected from all those nominated this fall by their leaders and peers for participation in the program. Launched in 2024 and created in partnership with D3SIDA and College Sports Communicators (CSC), the program is designed to elevate the next generation of athletic communication leaders in Division III. Participants engage in interactive sessions focused on leadership development, managing and growing a team, cross-department collaboration, and navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics communications. In addition to the in-person program in Indianapolis, all participants will be able to receive a one-time complimentary registration to CSC Unite 2027, to be held June 13-16 in Orlando.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with NCAA Division III to provide this valuable professional development opportunity for emerging leaders in athletic communications," CSC Executive Director Jason Yaman said. "This program reflects CSC’s commitment to helping our members grow professionally, build meaningful connections with their peers, and develop the skills needed to advance in our profession. We look forward to seeing how this year’s class benefits from the experience and continues to shape the future of Division III communications.”