NORFOLK, Va. (October 16, 2019) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host the 11^th annual Women in Athletics Professional Development Workshop "Why Not Me?" where Howard University Senior Women Athletic Administrator (SWA) Amy Olson will be among the speakers for this year's panel. The two-day event (Dec. 16-17) will take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., in conjunction with the week of activities leading up to the Celebration Bowl.
 
"I am honored to be [a] panelist at this year's women in athletics workshop," said Olson. "As a senior woman athletic administrator, I understand the importance of encouraging and educating young women on opportunities within collegiate athletics."
 
The goal of this workshop is to increase the awareness of opportunities available to women athletic administrators and assist them in their professional development. In addition, this workshop will provide the necessary tools to assist young women interested in becoming athletic administrators.
 
"The Women in Athletics workshop continues the MEAC's mission of providing opportunities and positive experiences for women who aspire to have a career in athletic administration," MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas said. "As always, I encourage all to attend what will be an informative networking and interactive opportunity."
 
The MEAC has plenty of progressive, talented innovators and thinkers presenting – including keynote speaker Tanika Cabral, Vice President, Global Marketing for Coca-Cola. Other presenters include Sonja O. Stills, MEAC Senior Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator; Alexiss Robinson, Director of Compliance - Financial Aid at Villanova University; Alvin Payne of Atlantic Union Bank; Dr. Jodi Merriday of the Southwest Atlanta Foundation; and Merlene Aitken-Smith, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Clayton State University.
 
"When I started in collegiate athletics, it was not the norm to see women in the field," Olson added. "I think now our society and many programs have come to embrace women [in athletics]. I am happy to help contribute to this movement."
 
This workshop is open to students, coaches, athletic staff members, conference office staff, or any woman interested in advancing in the field of athletics.
 
Registration closes Monday, Dec. 9. For more information, contact Stills at stillss@themeac.com.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.