National Office announces NJCAA Student-Athlete Council
Student-athletes from 24 NJCAA regions to represent the council
Charlotte, NC - The NJCAA has announced the creation of the NJCAA Student-Athlete Council. The council will provide student-athletes with tools for involvement at both the regional and national levels of the association.
The council, chaired by Heather Conger, NJCAA Region 19 Women's Assistant Director and Aaron Bouyea, NJCAA Region 3 Men's Assistant Director, aims to provide student-athletes from all 24 NJCAA regions the opportunity to engage and grow while attending their two-year institution, at a national level.
"I am honored to be able to help lead our student-athletes in one of the NJCAA's newest initiatives," stated Heather Conger, NJCAA Student-Athlete Council chair. "The council will serve as a vital connection between the NJCAA and the student-athletes it serves. It will create additional leadership opportunities for our student-athletes, and their voices will assist in the direction of our organization."
The council will meet via Zoom throughout the year to discuss relevant dynamics surrounding student-athletes at the two-year college level today. Council members will also attend the annual NJCAA Convention, serve a variety of roles on the council, assist with decision making, as well as propose new ideas in meetings with NJCAA leadership and national office leadership.
"Student-athletes and their experiences are at the heart of everything we do and our number one priority," stated Aaron Bouyea, NJCAA Student-Athlete Council chair. "The development of the student-athlete council provides a forum for our student-athletes to have a voice at the national level on major issues facing college athletics and the NJCAA. I am incredibly humbled and excited to help lead this new initiative and get to work with a talented group of administrators and student-athletes."
Goals for the committee include but are not limited to: Advance NJCAA student-athlete voices to include them in national dialogue, create new opportunities for the student-athletes experience, encourage student-athlete opinions on current or proposed legislation, provide recommendations based on student-athlete involvement, and increase engagement and participation by NJCAA Student-Athletes at a regional and national scope.
"During my time as a student-athlete at Patrick Henry I was able to understand the impact a voice can have on an institution and community," stated Bryson Collins, NJCAA Student-Athlete Council representative. "Through this student-athlete council, NJCAA member institutions can provide their student-athletes with leadership possibilities that extend far beyond their campus, propelling them to make a larger impact across the association."
The council will be comprised of two individuals, one male and one female, from each of the 24 NJCAA regions. Each NJCAA Board of Regents member will decide on a process for selecting their representatives.
Athletic directors and presidents are able to nominate student-athletes for a place on the council. Following the selection, student-athletes will be made aware of this honor and will begin to work with institutional, regional, and national leadership.
"I am very excited about this initiative to engage our student-athletes first hand," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "The students are the primary reason why we are all here and this council will allow for student-athletes and all of the NJCAA as a whole to collaborate and close gaps in various areas of need, concern, and growth."
