(Columbia, SC) — University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is bringing her leadership experience beyond the basketball court with the launch of a new program designed to prepare students for leadership in their careers and communities.
The Dawn Staley Leadership Academy welcomed its inaugural class of 110 University of South Carolina students this fall. The program is geared toward students preparing for careers in sports, entertainment, tourism, retail and fashion merchandising.
Students begin with an eight-week introductory leadership course that includes appearances and instruction from Staley. Topics include leadership development, identifying personal values, responding to challenges and managing emotions.
Staley said the goal is to help students develop leadership skills before they find themselves in positions where they are expected to lead.
Participants who successfully complete the introductory course will have an opportunity to apply for one of 35 spots available each year to continue through the full academy. Students completing the program’s additional coursework and a community project can earn a special leadership certificate representing a total of six credit hours.
The academy will also provide learning opportunities outside the classroom, including professional workshops, career coaching, conversations with industry leaders and immersion trips to championship-level organizations.
Michael Sagas, dean of USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, said the credential is intended to demonstrate to future employers that participating students have developed practical leadership abilities in addition to their academic studies.
For Staley, who has led USC’s women’s basketball program since 2008 and won three NCAA national championships, the academy provides an opportunity to share lessons from her career with a broader group of students across the university.
The program also emphasizes community involvement, with participating students expected to complete projects designed to make an impact beyond campus.
The Dawn Staley Leadership Academy represents another expansion of Staley’s influence at the University of South Carolina, providing students with access to leadership development, professional connections and career preparation that could help distinguish them as they enter the workforce.
