COLONIA, NJ – Three student-athletes from the East Coast Conference are set to attend the 2024 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, to be held from November 21-24 in Charlotte, NC. Daemen women’s tennis senior Kitsa Scime, District of Columbia women’s track and field junior Emmanuela Katou Kouami, and Mercy baseball senior Connor Ruland have been selected to attend on behalf of the conference. 

Created in 1997, the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes who have grown personally and professionally as a result of their attendance.

"I’m excited and extremely grateful for the unique opportunity to connect with other student-athletes and engage in various leadership workshops, all while representing the ECC and Daemen," said Scime. "I believe strong leadership is key to an organization’s success, and I’m excited to bring the skills and insights I gain back to our tennis program and campus."

Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes.

"I’m excited to engage in insightful discussions with student-athletes from different divisions, and I’m looking forward to gaining new perspectives on leadership and teamwork," said Katou Kouami. "I hope to leave with valuable connections and a deeper understanding of how to lead effectively."

This best-in-class programming experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness that allows them to realize their potential.

"I’m most looking forward to meeting new people from other schools and having the chance to learn new skills so that I can bring them back to Mercy to use and teach to others," added Ruland. 

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