About Dukes LEAD

Student-Athlete Leadership Development is committed to the holistic growth and development of James Madison University student-athletes through career readiness, community service, human development, and leadership development. The key areas of focus make up the comprehensive programming under Dukes LEAD to ensure JMU student-athletes have a foundation for success in college and for life after sports. 

In addition to the four key areas of focus to steer our intentional programming, Dukes LEAD also hosts a wide range of team-based programs, workshops, and keynote speakers and facilitates cutting-edge curriculum each semester. Programming topics are carefully selected to expose student-athlete learners to different approaches, content, and conversations to enhance their current experience and prepare them for future endeavors.

An annual program cultivating strong, trusting relationships between professionals and current JMU student-athletes. 

• Dukes Mentor Dukes is a self-guided mentorship program that focuses on cultivating strong, trusting relationships between professionals and current JMU student-athletes. Our vision is to utilize our extensive James Madison University Alumni base and industry leaders to support and guide current student-athletes toward their personal and professional goals. 

• Mentors allow us to achieve our goal of developing a vast network of Dukes supporters to provide every student-athlete with the opportunity to be mentored one-on-one during their time at JMU. 

• Annual events to employ networking, internship, and career placement skills - career fair, alumni socials. 

• Host two (2) career treks per year - corporate partner tours, and shadowing opportunities. 

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is a selective leadership organization consisting of student-athletes representing all sports at James Madison University. SAAC serves as the liaison between student-athletes and athletics administration to further enhance the holistic student-athlete experience. 

• The executive board comprises two co-presidents, one Sun Belt representative, one community service chair, one culture and excellence chair, one public relations chair, and one wellness and development chair. 
  

• The membership comprises two representatives per sport program and one trainee per sport program. 

Mission: JMU SAAC provides a space for the student-athlete voice to be the forefront of positive change within the JMU Athletics community, the Sun Belt Conference, and the NCAA. This committee focuses on enhancing the student-athlete experience through community outreach, peer education, policy change, and cultivating relationships among sport programs. SAAC is a community of individuals who believe in the power of their voice, each bringing unique perspectives and ideas to represent the student-athlete body. 

RISE is a unique program designed to encourage and empower female student-athletes at James Madison University. Facilitated by JMU Student-Athlete Leadership Development, RISE is essential in strengthening the notion of “Lift as we rise” for our female student-athletes as they strive to succeed in and out of athletics.  

• RISE Women’s Leadership Academy encompasses a cohort-based structure of 15-20 female student-athlete members per academic year. The women’s leadership academy will convene eight on-campus meetings within a given academic year, with the opportunity for additional involvement as RISE establishes itself among the female student-athlete population.   

• Meeting topics are expertly designed to play off the Old Rules women have followed to maintain the status quo and embrace the New Rules designed for women to come together, unleash their power, and change the game. These New Rules were established by U.S Soccer Olympic Gold Medalist, Abby Wambach, through her #1 New York Times Bestseller, Wolfpack. This message will carry the first installment of the RISE curriculum, and discussions and exercises will revolve around each topic addressed by Wambach.  

• Curriculum developers and facilitators will utilize meeting topics as a guide for discussion. As this leadership academy progresses, topics will evolve based on current events and world views. The previous cohort will also catalyze topic transformation through evaluations and need-based assessments.