Charlotte 49ers’ Ragean Hill selected for NCAA Pathway Program

Charlotte 49ers Executive Associate Athletics Director Ragean Hill is among 21 individuals selected by the NCAA for the 2023-24 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

The Pathway Program, under the direction of NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II or III. During the year, the 21 participants will be paired with and have regularly scheduled meetings with a campus or conference mentor. The mentors include directors of athletics, conference commissioners and school presidents, among others in leadership roles.

Participants will hone their leadership purpose and enhance their skills in areas that focus on strategic planning; fundraising; message articulation; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational leadership; hiring processes; and engagement with search firms.

DeeDee Merritt, director of leadership development at the NCAA, stated, “The 2022-23 cohort saw four learners ascend into the director of athletics or conference commissioner role and five additional learners promoted into elevated positions that bring them one step closer to leading an athletics department or athletic conference. The Pathway Program continues to illustrate why it is a signature developmental opportunity for senior-level administrators in the membership.”

Created in 1997, the Pathway Program has produced more than 282 alumni with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.