CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 26, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) continued its commitment to developing transformative leaders with the latest installment of the CIAA Leadership Academy, welcoming SAAC Advisors for a two-day spring culmination experience held March 22 through March 23 in Richmond, Virginia.
Designed to cultivate leadership across all levels of CIAA athletics, the Leadership Academy brings together professionals from across member institutions to strengthen collaboration, enhance professional competencies, and align leadership development with the broader mission of the conference.
The Richmond experience blended immersive engagement with intentional professional development. Participants began with a CIAA Bowling Championship experience, offering a firsthand look at championship operations and student athlete engagement, before connecting at Ice Cream Cakes and Crepes, a local business owned by a Virginia State alum, reinforcing the conference’s commitment to community and legacy.
The following day centered on targeted leadership development sessions hosted at Virginia Union University. Topics included financial fitness, leading with authenticity and confidence, foundations of fundraising, conflict resolution, and navigating difficult conversations. Each session was designed to equip participants with practical tools to better support student athletes and lead effectively within their respective roles.
“The CIAA Leadership Academy represents our continued investment in the people who drive our conference forward,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “By creating intentional spaces for growth, collaboration, and honest dialogue, we are strengthening leadership across every level of our membership. This experience is not just about professional development, it is about building a community of leaders who are equipped to serve, innovate, and elevate the student athlete experience across the CIAA.”
The CIAA Leadership Academy is a cornerstone initiative focused on building leadership capacity, advancing strategic and equity centered leadership, and strengthening relationships across institutions. Through cohort-based programming, the Academy supports career advancement, encourages collaboration, and contributes to long-term excellence throughout the conference.
Participants left Richmond with strengthened networks, a deeper understanding of their leadership approach, and actionable strategies to implement within their departments and campuses.
The CIAA Leadership Academy will continue throughout the academic year, engaging additional leadership groups as part of its ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of leaders 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 and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.