COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland Intercollegiate Athletic Department announced the first class of participants in the Barry and Mary Gossett Fellows Program. The program includes rising senior and junior student-athletes and will focus on developing them for their postgraduate career.
"As an athletic department, we are committed to creating an elite student-athlete experience at every level athletically and academically," said Damon Evans, Director of Athletics. "The Gossett Fellows program will offer our student-athletes a groundbreaking way to pursue their goals and aspirations so they can achieve success in their future careers. This groundbreaking approach to student-athlete development will help us recruit and retain the best student-athletes who will become leaders beyond their athletic careers."
Student athletes will participate in the following curriculum topics: leadership development, equity and social justice, professional development, service learning and career management. The program will also allow student-athletes to get To get practical experience in their respective career industries through an internship and a professional development trip.
Following completion of the program, graduates will receive an honorarium to use towards their postgraduate career plans. Student athletes that graduate from the program will become members of the Terps Career Network, Maryland's student-athlete alumni network which will provide continued access to mentorships that will allow student athletes to continue their growth outside of Maryland.
The following student athletes comprise the first class of Gossett Fellows:
Class of 2020: Darby Moore (Women's Soccer), Elliot Zoellner (Baseball), Emma Johnson (Gymnastics), Jack Wagman (Football), Kameron Jones (Track and Field), Kelee LePage (Field Hockey), Kirsten Peterman (Gymnastics), Reese Mona (Men's Basketball), Travis Valmon (Men's Basketball), Madison Maguire (Field Hockey), Ludavica Farina (Women's Golf), Mike Shinsky (Football).
Class of 2021: Brooke DeBerdine (Field Hockey), Catie May (Women's Lacrosse), Cheyenne Jones (Track and Field), Grace Griffin (Women's Lacrosse), Hannah Bond (Field Hockey), Hunter Baxter (Wrestling), Julia Reicin (Track and Field), Laura Van Respaille (Women's Golf), Nadia Hackett (Track and Field), Taylor Wilson (Softball), Venida Fagan (Track and Field), Darryl Morsell (Men's Basketball).
"With the generous gift from Barry and Mary Gossett, we have been able to advance our student-athlete development and academic support services to the next level," Sue Sherburne, SWA/Sr. Associate AD - Academics & Student Development. "The Gossett Fellows program is the latest step in that evolution. This innovative educational track allows us to introduce student-athletes to real life experiences and opportunities that move them closer to their career goals and help them make a successful transition following their time with us at the University of Maryland."
The Gossett Fellows Programs is one aspect of the innovative support model implemented by The Barry and Mary Gossett Center for Academic and Personal Excellence. The center focuses on a critical gap of student athlete development - career transition and professional success post-graduation. The center was established after a $21.25 million gift from the Gossett family in April of 2018.
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