Charlotte, NC (November 21, 2025) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) proudly announces that Virginia State University track and field student-athlete Janiya Harmon, Shaw University football student-athlete Justin Wheeler, and Associate Athletic Director at Livingstone College Shannon Allen have been selected to participate in the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, scheduled for November 20–23, 2025, in Dallas, TX. 

Created in 1997, the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes and administrators, providing opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The forum equips participants with leadership skills, self-awareness, and the ability to build strong connections with peers across the country. 

During the four-day program, attendees will: 

• Clarify personal values and assess behavioral styles to strengthen communication. 

• Explore how values and behaviors shape leadership styles. 

• Engage in meaningful discussions on issues impacting student-athletes today. 

• Learn about the inner workings of the NCAA and the role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC). 

• Participate in a community service project and hear from dynamic keynote speakers. 

One of the most impactful elements of the forum is the “color team” experience, where participants join small groups led by trained facilitators. These sessions foster open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and deep personal connections that often last long after the forum concludes. 

“On behalf of the CIAA, we are incredibly proud of Janiya, Justin, and Shannon for being selected to represent our conference at the NCAA Leadership Forum,” said CIAA Commissioner Jackie McWilliams-Parker. “This opportunity will not only enhance their personal and professional growth, but it will also allow them to bring back valuable insights to strengthen the student-athlete experience within the CIAA. Leadership development is core to our mission, and their participation reflects our continued commitment to preparing future leaders.” 

Following the program, participants will return to their campuses and the CIAA office with renewed energy, expanded networks, and actionable strategies to support student-athletes across the conference. 

Media Contact: 
Anna M. Butzlaff 
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 
abutzlaff@theciaa.com 

About the CIAA 
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.