NORFOLK, Va. – Athletics Academic Coordinator Jenira Shufford and Student-Athlete Counselor Brandy Gresham each received scholarships from Women Leaders in College Sports for this year. The scholarships will go toward membership in the organization.
 
Shufford was one of 30 individuals to receive the Women of Color Membership scholarship, offered by Women Leaders in College Sports in collaboration with the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). Minority women in athletics administration who demonstrate a need for financial assistance and are not current members of Women Leaders in College Sports are eligible.
 
Scholarship opportunities are a part of the Women of Color Initiative, which addresses the needs and barriers women of color experience in relation to access, advancement and retention in collegiate athletics.
 
In her role as athletics academic coordinator, Shufford overseas the sports of volleyball and bowling while assisting with programming for personal development. She also coordinates the Spartan Youth Club, manages the Student-Athlete Academic Support (SAAS) social media accounts, and co-advises the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
Gresham, meanwhile, was one of just six individuals to earn the Scott, Dallas and Mia Pioli Family Endowed HBCU Membership scholarship, part of the Women Leaders Women of Color initiative. The scholarship is awarded to women currently working in athletics at an HBCU or who graduated from an HBCU but are not current members of Women Leaders in College Sports.
 
Each recipient of the scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete; support advancing and advocating for diversity within college athletics; and have a need for financial assistance.
 
As a student-athlete counselor, Gresham provides mental health support services for student-athletes under the official title of Counselor II with the University. That includes individual or group counseling, and mental health and substance abuse related trainings, forums, presentations and programming. She also initiates care services and resource connection for student-athletes on and off campus.
 
Applicants for both scholarships had to complete an online application form, which included submission of a brief essay of 500 words or less that addressed how a Women Leaders membership would contribute to her professional growth.
 
Both scholarships are good for one-year memberships in the Women Leaders in College Sports organization, including base level access to the 2020 national convention, held in a virtual format this past Sunday and Monday.