New York University's Office of Student-Athlete Excellence's (OSAE) Violet Leadership Academy (VLA) continues to provide a transformative space for student-athletes to evolve as both competitors and humans. Launched in Spring 2023, the VLA is driven by a mission to help student-athletes holistically develop their leadership skills, build a foundational understanding of themselves, and grow through formational experiences that guide their professional and personal futures.

"To finally see and experience the Violet Leadership Academy at full strength brings about a great sense of pride for us in the OSAE, knowing what went into building this program for NYU student-athletes," said Director of Academic & Student-Athlete Support Services, Ryan Westman. "From the full year we spent working with stakeholders on campus, to the semester working with the NCAA's Leadership Academy Workshop (LAW) program, we wanted to make sure that this program meets the mark for every participant who invests their time with us."

A Scaffolded Journey: The Weekend Intensives

The VLA experience is anchored by immersive weekend sessions held each semester, tailored specifically to the sophomore, junior, and senior experience. This flexible model allows student-athletes to choose one intensive weekend per year to dive into a curriculum designed for their specific stage of development.

For sophomores, the leadership journey begins with an exploration of informal influence, emphasizing that true leadership is rarely defined by a formal title. Instead, the curriculum focuses on the "small things" done from the sidelines to improve a community or culture. This developmental stage includes Purpose Mapping workshops led by Mark Trumbo, Leadership Development Director for the NCAA, where students craft visual representations of their personal "why." Additionally, sophomores utilize the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment to learn how to lead authentically through their unique talents, while being encouraged to curate a "Personal Board of Directors"—a hand-selected community of mentors to guide their growth.

Junior year shifts the focus toward formal leadership and the inherent accountability of being a veteran. This stage centers on the delicate transition of being elevated into leadership roles among peers. To navigate this, students engage in "Difficult Conversations 2.0," moving past theory into active role-playing to handle peer-to-peer tension with grace. They also utilize the NCAA DISC program to learn how to adapt their communication styles to diverse personalities and meet with alumni to gain professional networking insights. As Nishad Sankar, a junior on the NYU Men's track and field team, reflects, the program offers a unique opportunity to connect with "genuine, charismatic, and ambitious peers" who are striving to make an impact in both sport and academics.

"I would recommend joining VLA because of the amazing opportunity you get to learn more about other student-athletes' personalities and perspectives," Sankar said. "This cohort gave me a chance to meet genuine, charismatic, and ambitious peers who were striving to make an impact not only in their sport but also in their academic life."

For seniors, the curriculum culminates in a deep dive into legacy and the transition out of competitive athletics. The focus shifts toward high-level Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and the "Motivating the Middle" philosophy, which teaches leaders how to engage the core of their organization to prevent apathy. Drawing on resources like Brené Brown's Dare to Lead and Daniel Coyle's The Culture Code, seniors work on redefining their identities outside of their sport. This ensures their personal mission statements serve as a reliable compass for their next chapter. Following these intensives, participants across all three years attend individual coaching sessions with OSAE staff to further refine their personal goals.

Freshmen participants in the Academy participate in workshops every other Tuesday evening during the spring semester. The experience begins with a fundamental exploration of leadership theory in partnership with Jason Joyce and The Changemaker Center. By dissecting various frameworks, these first-year students define what leadership means to them while simultaneously looking inward through a values-sort exercise. This year is rooted in the "Purpose Pillar," where Kurt Davies from the Office of Global Awards challenges students to identify the "why" behind their ambitions. By focusing on the work they want to perform rather than just a job title, students develop alternative pathways to success. To round out their introduction, they practice active listening through NYU's Listening Labs and learn the art of professional storytelling with Victoria DiMonica from the Wasserman Center, ensuring they can translate their athletic discipline into a compelling resume.

A Collaborative Effort

The VLA is a collaborative effort facilitated by Westman and OSAE staff members Mindy Reger (Associate Director) and Marissa Muoio (Academic & Program Administrator), alongside various NYU campus partners.

"We hoped that the VLA would grow as we continued to roll out each new year of curriculum and as word began to spread amongst our student-athletes," Reger explained. "But, I don't think, even in our wildest dreams, that we envisioned it growing as much as it did and as quickly as it did. I hope that means that we've created something that our students find valuable and continue to find valuable each year they return to the program, and that they continue to encourage their peers to join as well." 

The Academy has experienced expansive growth since its inception and now serves over 100 student-athletes each year, most recently representing 20 teams at NYU. Beyond the classroom and weekend sessions, the VLA prioritizes experiential learning through an annual week-long leadership trip to one of NYU's global sites, with previous cohorts traveling to destinations like Washington, D.C. and Prague.

The VLA has meant so much to me in terms of my leadership and growth as an athlete and person," said junior softball team member Alyssa Quarry. "Through the retreat and leadership coaching sessions, I have learned techniques to lead with greater confidence and empathy. The program challenged me in many ways to reflect on what leader I want to be, providing me with tools to better support those around me. More than anything, VLA showed me that leadership is not always perfect, rather it's about building relationships, leaning into change, and influencing your community. It has been such a privilege and pleasure to be a part of this group."  

For NYU student-athletes, the Violet Leadership Academy represents a dedicated commitment to personal excellence and community impact. Enrollment for next year's cohort begins in the summer of 2026. 

Please contact Mindy Reger for more information or to apply for the VLA.