Tigers Together Journey to Athletics with Advantage Lancaster

July 16, 2024 | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

PRINCETON, NJ - On Tuesday, July 9th, Advantage Lancaster students embarked on a memorable journey to Princeton University for the Tigers Together Journey to Athletics. This special visit offered a unique opportunity for students to explore potential career paths in the world of collegiate athletics and engage in a day full of insightful experiences. From a thought-provoking Athletics Panel discussion to a delightful lunch at the Princeton Football Stadium, and an inspiring tour of the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding, the day was packed with enriching conversations designed to broaden students’ perspectives and ignite their passions.

A Deep Dive into Athletic Careers: The Athletics Panel Discussion

The centerpiece of the Tigers Together Journey was the Athletics Panel discussion held in the impressive Princeton University Athletics Center held in Jadwin Hall home to the Department of Physics and Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. This engaging session brought together a diverse group of Princeton Athletics staff members, each offering a unique viewpoint on what a career in athletics entails. The panel aimed to provide Advantage Lancaster students with a comprehensive understanding of various professional roles within college sports.

Meet the Panelists

The Athletics Panel featured a lineup of distinguished professionals from the Princeton University Athletics Department:

Ieisha Jackson – Manager of Intercollegiate Programming
Micheal Medley – Assistant Director of Athletics, Camp & Clinic Operations
Michael Huggins – Assistant Director of Athletic Facilities & Operations
Moderator Miles Smith Jr – Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Each panelist shared their personal experiences and career trajectories, offering students a glimpse into the diverse opportunities within collegiate athletics.

Engaging Conversations and Student Questions

The panel discussion was followed by a lively Q&A session where students had the chance to ask questions and engage with the experts. Students inquired about career paths, required skills, and the everyday responsibilities of working in collegiate athletics. The panelists’ thoughtful responses provided students with practical advice and inspiration for pursuing their own careers in sports.

Meredith Sefick, Advantage Lancaster Educator stated “As a school counselor, today's panel discussion was a great reminder to me that so many different careers are available in a single field. It encourages me to think out of the box when planning future career exploration events. Opportunities like today are so valuable and the key to inspiring students' futures."

Shayne D. Meadows Co-Executive Director of Advantage Lancaster stated “The discussion moderated by Miles Smith Jr. allowed our students to hear first-hand accounts of the importance of communication, leadership, and empathy in their role as administrators. Our students also learned about career opportunities in higher education for people that love sports.”

A Taste of Princeton Athletics: Lunch at the Football Stadium

The lunch also served as a relaxed setting for informal conversations with Princeton's Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where students could delve deeper into specific aspects of careers in athletics and further explore their interests.

Exploring the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding

The final highlight of the day was a tour of the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding. This renowned center at Princeton University is dedicated to promoting the pillars of engagement, empowerment, leadership, and action among students. The tour offered Advantage Lancaster students a chance to learn about the center’s mission and its role in fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment.

Discovering the Center’s Pillars

During the tour, students explored the center’s Affinity Spaces, designed to support and celebrate various cultural and social identities. While on Tour students were able to meet staff members of the Carl Fields Center for Equality & Cultural Understanding. The students were introduced to several affinity spaces and resources offered by the center. The tour highlighted how the center’s pillars—engagement, empowerment, leadership, and action—serve as a foundation for creating a supportive and inclusive campus community.

A Day to Remember: Reflections on the Tigers Together Journey

The Tigers Together Journey was more than just an educational field trip—it was an opportunity for Advantage Lancaster students to envision their future careers and explore the many facets of collegiate athletics and student life. From the insightful Athletics Panel discussion to the engaging lunch at the football stadium and the inspiring tour of the Carl A. Fields Center, the day offered a wealth of diverse experiences that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Makynzie Toney, a 9th-grade student for Advantage Lancaster stated “Visiting different colleges is all a part of the bigger puzzle of education. You just have to find the right puzzle piece for you. I found mine at Princeton!"

Students left Princeton University feeling inspired and motivated, with new insights into the world of athletics and a greater understanding of how they can contribute to their communities through leadership and action. The visit also strengthened the partnership between Advantage Lancaster and Princeton University, as Tigers Together continues to transform through Education through Athletics students grow in exercising curiosity.

"Today I learned that working hard can help you succeed and that you don't just go to Princeton to learn. You go to Princeton to enhance your ability to think critically." -Daisy Dionicio 7th grade