MELBOURNE, Fla – Florida Tech Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, Christina Hardman, was recently selected to participate in the NCAA's prestigious Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, a two-year program that aims to elevate participants' leadership skills to accelerate their professional growth while enhancing their ability to excel within their current roles.

Hardman was among 18 selected national athletic administrators that participated in a week of professional development programming July 11-17 in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Additionally, 19 athletics administrators who started in the Leadership Institute in Summer of 2025 took part in the programming and were recognized at a graduation ceremony attended by program alumni.

"One of the most powerful aspects of the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is the community that develops among participants," said DeeDee Merritt Guster, managing director of leadership development at the NCAA. "The relationships built during this experience create a lasting network of support, accountability and encouragement that extends far beyond the two-year program and strengthens leadership across college athletics."

Hardman is in her sixth year with Florida Tech in 2025-27. As a first-year program participants, Hardman began with days of activities and learning focused on exploring career aspirations and enhancing essential skills. Attendees spent time exploring goals, clarifying values and looking closer at their behavioral styles, as well as those of their peers. Administrators also took part in activities designed to engage learners and refine problem-solving skills.

Additionally, those in the first year engaged with a variety of experts and gained knowledge in several areas, such as the challenges of leadership within college athletics, student-athlete welfare issues, strategic planning, budget management, fundraising, compliance, human resources and performance management.

"Being selected for the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is both a privilege and a pivotal opportunity," said Hardman.  "This opportunity is an investment not only in my own professional growth, but also in my ability to better serve Florida Tech Athletics and the scholar-athletes, staff and colleagues I work alongside.

I'm excited to learn from the leaders and peers in this program, challenge myself to continue growing as a leader, and bring those experiences back to our department. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of a program that places such a strong emphasis on leadership, professional development and creating a positive impact within college athletics."

Participants had the opportunity to explore the internal workings of an athletics department with a campus visit to Grand Canyon University, where they actively engaged athletics department staff members with discussions of campus culture, organizational structures and communications best practices.

"Christina's selection for the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is a well-deserved recognition and a tremendous opportunity," said Director of Athletics Jamie Joss. "During her time at Florida Tech, she has played an important role in supporting and promoting our mission, values, and success of our athletics department and advancing opportunities for our scholar-athletes. We are proud to see her represent Florida Tech in this prestigious program and look forward to the perspectives, relationships, and leadership experiences she will bring back to help our department continue to grow and serve our campus community."

More than 400 administrators have graduated from the Leadership Institute since it started in 2002, and more than 60% of those have gone on to hold senior leadership positions in college athletics.

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