In the fall of 2020, the NAIA and its Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) created CCA RISE with the specific mission of providing an avenue for NAIA membership to participate in training and programming aimed at influencing positive change in the association where all people are valued and provided equal opportunity in all aspects of life.
In November 2020, CCA RISE formed a partnership with the Minorities Opportunities in Athletics Association (MOAA), focusing on career opportunities for minorities in the NAIA. Read more about the NAIA's partnership with MOAA.
In March 2022, the NAIA hosted the first Governance & Leadership Academy to provide intense training on NAIA governance issues and strategic initiatives. The full-day event is designed to introduce attendees to NAIA committee work and prepare young minority and female administrators for committee service.
By 2023, each campus was required to have a designated Senior Woman Leader, a female administrator or coach who will serve as a key participant in senior-level management decisions regarding intercollegiate athletics on campus.
In 2023, the Senior Woman Leaders Association was formed to promote the meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of NAIA sports.
The NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy provides training on NAIA governance issues and strategic initiatives, introduces attendees to NAIA committee work, and prepares young minority or female administrators for committee service.
Identify graduating student-athletes and young NAIA professionals across our membership to participate in a Governance Academy that will expose them to the NAIA legislative process.
GLA attendance is capped at 50 participants, with each conference sending any two individuals. Geared toward women, minorities, or individuals new to the NAIA, but open to anyone, GLA provides insights into administration basics, NAIA governance, industry hot topics, and leadership skills. This includes administrators, staff, coaches, and graduate assistants; undergraduate students will not be accepted unless they work in the athletics department as staff members, administrators, or coaches.
The Annual Governance and Leadership Academy is typically held in conjunction with the NAIA National Convention.
|
Time |
Topic |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. |
Check-In and Breakfast |
|
9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks |
|
9:20 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. |
Leadership Paths: Not One Straight Road (Panel) |
|
9:50 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. |
Personal Leadership Mapping |
|
10:05 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. |
Break |
|
10:15 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. |
NAIA Structure/Compliance/What Would You Do? |
|
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
Lunch |
|
1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
The Importance of Supporting Roles |
|
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Wearing Multiple Hats |
|
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Round Tables: Situations Wearing Multiple Hats |
|
3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. |
Break |
|
3:10 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Current State of College Athletics/Burning Topics/Conversation |
|
4:00 p.m. |
Closing Remarks |
|
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Reception |
Last updated December 9, 2025
Hosted by NAIA Rise, the Governance and Leadership Academy (GLA) identifies and uplifts professionals who are ready to rise up and reach toward leadership in the association.
Geared toward women, minorities, or individuals new to the NAIA, but open to anyone, GLA provides insights into administration basics, NAIA governance, industry hot topics, and leadership skills.
This one-day, high-impact program is held annually in conjunction with the NAIA National Convention. The 2026 GLA will take place friday, April 10, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.
GLA will be held on the first day of the NAIA National Convention on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Muehlebach Tower.
GLA has previously covered various topics, including NAIA governance, committee service, eligibility, compliance, fundraising, marketing, effective communication, mentorship, and creating welcoming environments for diverse/underrepresented student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff. Specific topics vary each year.
GLA attendance is capped at 50 participants, with each conference sending any two individuals who are currently employed by an NAIA institution or conference office. Ideal nominees include those who are:
Previous attendees have included administrators, staff, coaches, and graduate assistants. Please note, undergraduate students will not be accepted unless they work as staff members, administrators, or coaches in the athletics department.
Each conference selects any two individuals to participate in the GLA. Individuals working within athletics, regardless of title, can be nominated by their institution and selected by their conference to attend. This includes administrators, staff, coaches, and graduate assistants; undergraduate students will not be accepted unless they work as staff members, administrators, or coaches in the athletics department. GLA attendees should specifically be interested in starting, transitioning, or advancing in a career within athletics administration.
Ideal nominees include those who are:
Individuals interested in attending should contact their athletics director and/or conference commissioner for more information, as the selection process may differ for each conference.
Conferences must submit their participants through this form by January 31, 2026.
Individual attendees will receive an invitation to confirm their attendance by registering for the event. They will receive the invitation via email and must complete registration by February 6, 2026.
No payment is needed for GLA attendance. However, individuals may still need to pay for travel and/or lodging if required. In some cases, an individual’s conference or institution may be able to cover the costs associated with travel. Attendees should contact their athletics director and/or conference commissioner for more information.
Participants (or the institution/conference responsible for making the reservation) are encouraged to reserve their rooms through the convention hotel link, which will be available at www.NAIA.org/convention.
Opportunity to attend the annual MOAA Symposium at reduced rates.
Participation in the MOAA Community, in which individual members may exchange ideas or seek input and also be appraised of employment opportunities within the field.
Complimentary copies of Athletics Administration magazine, which includes MOAA Corner articles. The magazine is produced four times a year.
Complimentary subscription to the NACDA Daily Review, which is a compilation of internet articles related to intercollegiate athletics. The Daily Review is sent via e-mail five days per week.
Networking opportunities with other minority professionals.
