Villanova, Pa. -

Two Villanova Athletics interns participated in the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar, last week at the NCAA national offices in Indianapolis. Kimberly Stewart and Sean McCarthy were among the 200 selected from across the country. All three NCAA Divisions were represented over the three-day seminar.

The Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS) is an annual professional development event providing effective leadership, educational and transitional programing for current graduate assistants and interns from NCAA membership institutions, conference offices and affiliate organizations. The three-day program educates, develops and connects selected participants, and helps them succeed in the next steps to becoming a college athletics professional.

"The Emerging Leaders Seminar is a wonderful opportunity for young professionals working in athletics to come to the national office, form a network of like-minded peers and develop knowledge of the college sports industry at all levels," said Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president of education and community engagement and chief inclusion officer.

Stewart is a post graduate intern in the Office of Academic Support. In her current position, she counsels student-athletes regarding course selection, registration, and progress toward degree. In May of 2015, Kim graduated with her Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs Counseling from West Chester University; she received her Bachelor degree from University of Delaware in Organizational and Community Leadership in 2013.

McCarthy is a post graduate intern in the Office of Athletic Compliance and Student Service. In his position, he works with SAAC, professional programming for student-athletes, NCAA rules education and research, and working with coaches on camps and official/unofficial visits. In May of 2012, Sean graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor degree in Sports Management. This past May he completed his Law Degree at Marquette University.

About his experience last week McCarthy stated, "The NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar was one of the most beneficial professional experiences I have had. The seminar taught me about my own style of leadership, and how I can utilize my style to interact with other leadership styles."

Stewart added that, "The Emerging Leaders Seminar was an amazing opportunity to grow as a professional in collegiate athletics. All divisions of the NCAA were represented and it was great to learn from those who are the leaders in their field."

During the 2016 seminar, participants heard from industry leaders and experts, including: Meg Stevens, Director of Athletics, Averett University; Donald Remy, NCAA Executive Vice President, Law, Policy and Governance; Devin Crosby, Director of Athletics, Lynn University; Erin McDermott, Director of Athletics, University of Chicago; Holly Sheilley, Vice President of Athletics, Transylvania University; and Scott Wiegandt, Director of Athletics, Bellarmine University.

For Stewart it was the connections that this seminar presented that will stick with her, "I made many connections and friendships with other young professionals who have the passion to empower our current and future student-athletes. ELS was a great experience that validated my drive to carry on in this field."

Jenn Brophy, Dirctor of the Office of Academic Support for Athletics stated, "Kim is a wonderful addition to our staff this year and I am delighted she had the opportunity to represent Villanova at the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar."

"Participating in this conference provided her with essential skills and knowledge about the landscape of college athletics and allowed her to network with other leaders and colleagues from across the nation. She is a rising star in our profession and I look forward to seeing her continued growth and development as a result of this seminar," continued Brophy.

Also during the seminar the selected candidates explored the role of NCAA governance, including the differences among the divisions and the role of conference offices. Another aspect was to be spilt into small groups and work together to create an operations plan that simulates the application of group dynamics and understanding the holistic operations of an athletics department.

McCarthy shared, "The seminar served as a wonderful networking opportunity with both established professionals in the college sports industry, as well as my fellow interns and graduate assistants"

Katie LeGrand, an Assistant Athletic Director as well at the Director of Compliance at Villanova stated,

"At Villanova, we are always encouraging our interns to get as much out of their internship experience as possible. By expanding ones experience to include a professional development seminar like the NCAA Emerging Leaders, the wealth of knowledge about the networking process and the people one gets to connect with at the seminar will allow our interns to advance their career paths."

LeGrand added, "Sean is incredibly deserving of the experience because he has been a great asset and really an "emerging leader" in both the Compliance and Student-Services Offices at Villanova."

McCarthy and Stewart hope their time at Villanova will be stepping stone of what is to come in their future endeavors.