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JUNE 2021 13 as a way to see what the University has to of- fer and to connect with people outside of the athletics department." Through his team's efforts, White is ex- posing UVA's student-athletes to resources and experiences they probably would not discover on their own. More importantly, University professors, alumni, staff and local business leaders are providing opportunities for young men and women who share an interest in careers they have already forged. "Carla and I share a passion for student de- velopment, and we go back 14 years working together [at UVA and Georgia]," White said. "When I got here, she said she wanted a one- of-a-kind program for our student-athletes — to match the one-of-a-kind environment that exists at UVA. For the first time in my career, we were able to build a program with- out limits. "What we created is a University-wide effort unlike anything in higher education, much less college athletics. We've knocked down the barriers that typically separate athletics and a university community. As a result, student-athletes, coaches and staff are encouraged to collaborate directly with stu- dents, faculty, administration, alumni and community leaders to create shared, high- impact experiences." It did not take long for student-athletes to embrace the program and its technology. "The magnitude and impact the program offers our student-athletes is boundless," UVA third-year men's soccer forward Cabrel Happi Kamseu said. "I am very excited to see the program grow because there is something for everyone. There are a plethora of initia- tives, service opportunities and career options concisely placed in one program that is very user friendly. It is almost too good to be true. "My first and second year I found myself having to do a fair amount of digging and re- search to connect myself with opportunities I thought would be worthwhile. However, now it is all readily available." "I love the variety of opportunities avail- able on Pathways," Skoler said. "Whether you are looking for classes to take, an op- portunity in a career path, a faculty mentor or different life skills, there are many different opportunities for everyone. "Each experience that I have had with Path- ways has been great. Pathways has given me the opportunity to get involved with my pas- sions outside of playing golf and being an athlete. Just through my engagement in Path- ways, the faculty in the athletics department is able to connect and remind me of various opportunities each week, which is super excit- ing for me." Track and field All-American Owayne Ow- ens appreciates the involvement of a support staff that helps him to navigate the process well after an initial assessment is made. "My favorite part of the program is how it takes my strengths and interests, and uses them to direct me to careers paths that my skills will allow me to excel in and where I could find my true purpose," Owens said. "I also really like the fact that advisors can have access to this information, making it easier and more beneficial as they guide student- athletes throughout our time in college." The pandemic presented White and his team some unique challenges for a concept that was just getting its legs under it. The initial in-person experiences where student- athletes could interact with faculty staff and business leaders had to stop. The program pivoted to virtual experiences, but it also al- lowed for the opportunity to spend time add- ing resources to the venture. White estimates that nearly half of UVA's student-athlete population is actively using Pathways, and that number continues to grow as word of mouth spreads. "We've obviously lost the ability to cre- ate in-person opportunities, which are invalu- able," White said. "But we've been able to create and sustain virtual connections, so our student-athletes have been extremely active in meaningful activities all year. "I'd argue that our student-athletes have been more engaged than any student-athletes in the country because of this platform. That being said, we are all looking forward to see- ing what can be accomplished when we're back in-person." Pathways quickly drew the attention of the University's administration, and the program could become the genesis for a wider initiative for all students. White says the reaction and willingness to participate in the program from the University has been overwhelming. "I have been at this work for more than 25 years at a half-dozen universities across the country and have never experienced anything like it," White said. "We would never have been able to pull this off at another institu- tion because it requires such broad and deep community collaboration. I am continuously blown away by the cooperative spirit that ex- ists throughout the UVA ecosystem. It really is humbling and awesome." Williams is excited about the program's early launch and for its future potential. "I love seeing student-athletes discover a passion or refine transferable skills that allow them to excel outside of their sport," Wil- liams said. "When I see them discover some- thing that inspires them in the same way their sport has done their whole lives, that is a great source of joy for me. "Their participation in collegiate athletics, especially at an elite level, is preparation for life, and we have a responsibility to make sure we do our part to help prepare them to be amazing citizens of the world." "The Center for Citizen Leaders and Sports Ethics is central to the Master Plan. We have approximately 10,000 square feet dedicated to preparing our students for the rest of their lives. The sports careers of our student-athletes will end after college or after their professional careers, but at some point, all of us become 'former' student-athletes. "The dedicated facility within the Master Plan provides one centralized space for the staffing and programming needed that will differentiate UVA as a unique destina- tion for the nation's best and brightest prospective student-athletes. This Center will also be a vibrant epicenter for our current student-athletes." — UVA athletics director Carla Williams Pathways allows Cavalier student-athletes to customize their interests, goals and preferences via a web-based tool that serves as a starting point. It focuses on academics, career opportunities, community service, leadership and personal interests to create a "path" for student-athletes to pursue. PHOTO COURTESY UVA