INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Associate Vice President for Athletics Richard Warren has been selected to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program for 2025-26.
 
Warren is among 22 administrators across all NCAA divisions to take part in the year-long Pathway Program, with a goal of preparing these individuals to attain a position as a Director of Athletics or Conference Commissioner.
 
The Pathway Program, under the direction of NCAA leadership, is a year-long program engaging participants in a series of experiential learning opportunities focused on advancing to top roles within an athletic department or conference office.
 
Throughout the program, participants will engage in targeted leadership development curriculum focused on strategic planning, organizational leadership, resource generation, executive communication, hiring processes and stakeholder engagement. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight. Grounded in experiential learning, the program challenges participants to address current and emerging issues across the collegiate athletics landscape. This approach ensures they are not only prepared for the demands of executive leadership but also positioned to cultivate cultures of excellence within their organizations.
 
"I am truly honored to be selected for the NCAA Pathway Program," said Warren. "To represent Hanover College and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) on a national level is a tremendous privilege. This opportunity will strengthen my leadership and strategic vision as I continue to serve our student-athletes and our college community. I'm also looking forward to learning and growing alongside an exceptional group of administrators from across the country."
Warren expressed heartfelt gratitude to Lynn Hall and Jay Jones, stating:
"Lynn Hall and Jay Jones have been incredible mentors and trusted friends throughout my journey. I'm continually thankful for their support, perspective, and belief in my potential."
He also added:
"Thank you to Mark Shook for his ongoing encouragement and thoughtful insight along the way.  Mark provided key insight from his experience in the NCAA Pathway Program prior to his arrival on campus and it has been a springboard for me in my development."
 
The cohorts will meet for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis. Participants will reconvene in the fall for additional development and will attend their respective division's governance meetings for real-time observation and application. The program will conclude in the summer of 2026 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics conference in Las Vegas.
 
"I know firsthand how valuable this experience is as one of the marquee leadership programs the NCAA offers for members who are preparing for the next big step (to the AD chair) in their careers," said Vice President for Athletics, Mark Shook.
 
Shook added, "The programming is intense, and Richard will not only benefit professionally but also help us to continue to move forward in all phases of our athletics program. This is a definite "win-win", and I applaud him for being selected and look forward to his involvement this next year."
 
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 300 program alumni, with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.
 
The 2025-26 NCAA Pathway Program participants:

• Richard Warren, associate vice president for athletics, Hanover.
• Sam Atkinson, associate athletics director for communications, Gallaudet. 
• Shawn Bragg, director of athletics internal operations, Saint Michael's. 
• Shamaree Brown, senior associate athletics director for student services, Iowa State.
• Demetrus Caldwell, deputy athletics director, chief of staff, Cal State LA. 
• Niesha Campbell, deputy director of athletics/chief operating officer/senior woman administrator, Austin Peay. 
• Rick Canter, associate vice president/deputy athletics director, Jacksonville.
• Larry Earnesty, senior associate director of athletics, Millersville. 
• Emily Fulton, associate athletics director for internal operations/senior woman administrator, VMI. 
• Brittney Johnson, deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator/chief integrity officer, Florida A&M. 
• D'Ann Keller, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Buffalo.
• Kevin Kendrick, senior associate athletics director for compliance/deputy Title IX coordinator, Florida International.
• Bethany Marren, associate director of intercollegiate athletics/compliance/senior woman administrator, Rochester Institute of Technology.
• Carrie Michaels, senior associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Shippensburg. 
• Paul Perrier, executive senior associate athletics director, Southern California. 
• Ariel "AP" Pesante, senior associate athletics director for internal operations, Georgetown.
• Deidre Pierson, interim director of athletics/associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Hamilton.
• Davon Robb, senior associate athletics director of competitive excellence, Rice.
• Adam Skaggs, associate director of athletics, Suffolk. 
• Christie Ward, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Catawba. 
• Lori Williams, deputy athletics director for leadership and strategy, LSU.
• Abby Wilson, deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator, University of Central Florida.