Nebraska Wesleyan University's Keith Germain (Springhill, FL) and Aliah Clarke (Papillion, NE) have been selected to attend the 2024 NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program this January in conjunction with the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
The NCAA Student Immersion Program builds a pipeline of talented ethnic minority candidates interested in Division III coaching and/or administration, with the ultimate goal of diversifying the division. Germain and Clarke will engage in training related to workplace performance, including teamwork, communication, and productivity. They will also attend a variety of meetings and develop a professional network with their cohort.
Germain and Clarke are among 40 Division III student-athletes from across the country accepted into the program, and this marks the first time Nebraska Wesleyan will send two student-athletes to the NCAA Convention as part of this initiative. Their selection underscores the University's commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field.
Germain, a senior majoring in sport management, is in his fourth year on the wrestling team and actively contributes to the campus community. He is a member of the Black Student Union (BSU) and works at the Weary Center and various sporting events on campus. Germain plans to stay in Lincoln and pursue a career in sports after graduation, making him a natural fit for the Immersion Program as he explores a future in athletic administration.
Clarke, a senior majoring in sport management, is wrapping up her final volleyball season and is also a thrower on the track team. She is involved in campus leadership as the president of the Black Student Union (BSU) where she promotes a welcoming and supportive environment for all students. Her dedication to inclusive practices aligns with the program's mission, and she hopes to pursue a career in coaching and athletic administration.
The NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program was established in 2015 at the recommendation of the Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Each year, ethnic minority students, preferably juniors and seniors, with a strong interest in Division III athletics careers (coaching and/or administration), are selected and fully funded to attend the NCAA Convention. They are exposed to the Division III governance process and participate in professional development opportunities.