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2017 CoSIDA Convention Attendance Grant Recipients Announced
Nona Letuligasenoa
Alaska Fairbanks
Zekeya Harrison
Tennessee State
Zekeya Harrison of Tennessee State University and Nona Letuligasenoa of the University of Alaska Fairbanks are already pioneers of sorts. They are two women in the predominantly man’s world of sports information. But this year, they are the first CoSIDA members to receive two convention attendance grants specifically earmarked for ethnic minorities.
During its February 23 conference call, the CoSIDA Board of Directors enthusiastically approved the addition of these two grants. The grants have the same benefits as the association’s four-year-old program that awards 20 recipients an $800 stipend in addition to free convention registration.
Executive director Doug Vance had the idea to add these grants to the current program.
“The CoSIDA Board of Directors made a meaningful and important statement with the creation of two additional convention grants that specifically enhance opportunities for professional development and CoSIDA involvement among our ethnic minority members, while also continuing to put a priority on inclusion. We’ve obviously got work to do in terms getting more ethnic minorities involved in the profession and we hope this is a positive step in that process,” Vance said.
Harrison, assistant athletic director for athletic media relations, says the addition of these grants shows a commitment to minorities in the association.
“I believe it sends a message of inclusivity and that ethnic minorities are a valued asset to the profession,” Harrison said. “It shows that the Board of Directors encourages diversity and supports the efforts of individuals that are trying to better themselves.”
Letuligasenoa, who is of Samoan descent, is in her second year as assistant athletic director for communications. She said many factors contribute to how she is perceived as an SID.
“In my own personal experience, I believe my biggest challenge is to get others to take me seriously. It may be a large number of things - my gender, my ethnicity, my age - but I have come to learn that more often than not, others seem to underestimate you until you prove them otherwise.”
Harrison is eager to attend her second CoSIDA Convention.
“I’m excited to hear and see how other professionals operate and what drives their success. I want to identify ways in which we could improve in certain areas, and I’m hoping that by attending the convention, we will be able to do that. I’m especially interested in attending the sessions that focus on crisis management and social media. As the head of my department, I feel as if those would be very beneficial.”
The 2017 convention will be Letuligasenoa’s second as well.
“I can't begin to describe how excited I am to attend my second convention! I think what I am most excited about is reconnecting with those who were so welcoming last year and continuing to learn from the best in the business throughout the week.”
Learn more about the 2017 CoSIDA Convention | Register Now