NORFOLK, Va. – Jacqueline Nicholson, Norfolk State University’s assistant athletics director for academic support, is one of 10 people internationally who have been accepted into the 2014-16 Class of Emerging Leaders by the National Academic Advising Associating (NACADA), the organization announced recently.

The purpose of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is to provide a focused mentoring experience to its members who are interested in becoming more involved in NACADA.  ELP is a two-year program in which Nicholson and her nine colleagues will work closely with a NACADA mentor to gain skills, experiences, and knowledge needed to move into a leadership position in the association. Nicholson and her mentor will develop a plan for her involvement, which will be based on her interests, expertise and future goals.

Nicholson is in her sixth year heading up the academic support program for the NSU athletics department. Nicholson oversees the operations of the Student-Athlete Academic Support Office, which includes a team of academic coordinators, interns and tutors. She also advises players on issues of NSU and NCAA eligibility requirements and monitors progress toward their degrees. In addition, also oversees the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program, serves as the advisor for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and assists with the submission of NCAA APR, GSR and APP reports.