INDIANPOLIS, Ind. – Lauren Dellipoali, MIT Athletics Communications Assistant, is participating in the new NCAA Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program, December 9-10 at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Dellipoali is one of 30 Division III athletic communicators selected to participate in the inaugural program. Participants were selected from all those nominated this fall by their leaders and peers for participation in the program. In addition to the in-person program in Indianapolis, all participants will be able to receive a one-time complimentary registration to the next College Sports Communicators (CSC) UNITE convention, held annually in June. 

"I'd first like to thank Louise McCleary and Katie Mucci for all their hard work in putting this incredible program together and their unwavering dedication to Division III Athletics. I'd also like to thank my colleagues, Miles Roberts and Mindy Brauer for their consistent support as well as the rest of the DAPER staff," said Dellipoali. "I'd especially like to thank my coaches and student-athletes for their support and pushing me daily to become better at my job. I am very humbled and honored to be selected to attend this incredible program, and I cannot wait to learn from the amazing lineup of speakers over the course of the program. I hope to take what I learn and continue to grow as a leader while continuing to promote the athletic programs at MIT at a high level." 

The program's goal is to provide professional development and networking opportunities for athletic communicators, particularly those early in their careers seeking to advance to a director-level position or those who have recently become a director. Topics discussed will cover a variety of professional development areas which may include leadership training, networking, positioning yourself to oversee a staff, collaborations, culture-building, and navigating expanded responsibilities. 

"Throughout her career, Lauren has been a consistent, reliable force, going above and beyond her role at MIT," notes MIT softball senior Mikayla Cable. "Named the 2023 DIII Communicator of the Year, she demonstrates a resounding dedication to student-athletes and peers alike by stepping up in hard times and taking on new roles. Being named to the NCAA DII Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite program is another chapter in her already promising young career."

The participants will be welcomed by Louise McCleary, NCAA Division III Vice President; Katie Mucci, NCAA Division III Assistant Director; and Will Roleson, CSC Interim Executive Director and Alivia Deiteran, CSC Assistant Director of Communications and Creative Content. 

Throughout 2024, the Division III governance staff worked to create the Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program in partnership with College Sports Communicators staff and D3SIDA and the CSC Division III Cabinet, the leadership group for Division III members within the CSC organization.

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