Pitt-Bradford Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Tony Gaskew has been selected as a 2016 NCAA Division III FAR Fellow.
Gaskew is the Director of the Pitt-Bradford Criminal Justice program and is an associate professor of criminal justice. He is in his 10th year at UPB and his second as FAR. Gaskew is the fifth AMCC Faculty Athletic Representative selected as an NCAA Fellow.
When asked what he hopes to gain from attending the FAR Fellow Institute, Gakew states that he would like "to enhance core leadership skills, specifically directed at broadening my faculty athletic representative's role, both on campus and on a national level. "
The FAR Fellows Institute was launched in 2010 and aims to increase the effectiveness of Division III FARs at the campus, conference and national levels.
Institute attendees will participate in a three-day professional development program at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16. The components of the program provide a thorough examination of best practices and issues surrounding the role and responsibility of the FAR, help FAR Fellows develop the leadership skills necessary to carry out their responsibilities on campus and in their conference, and strengthen the network of FARs needed to serve on conference, divisional and association-wide committees. The Institute will conclude with FAR Fellows committing to taking action on at least one idea. Highlights from 2015 included:
Campus:
1. Establish a Faculty Mentoring Program.
2. Share data on student-athlete academic success with faculty.
3. Develop athletic advisory board.
4. Increase FAR involvement with campus SAAC.
Conference:
1. Attend conference meetings with ADs, Presidents, and SAAC.
2. Contact other FARs in the conference to make introductions and share ideas.
3. Report to conference peers what was learned at the FAR Institute
National:
1. Attend the FARA Annual Meeting and Symposium.
2. Nominate students for NCAA post-graduate scholarships.
3. Read the Division III monthly update.