College of Education student-athletes inducted into leadership academy

Three College of Education student-athletes were recently inducted into Georgia's Student-Athlete Leadership Academy, marking the eighth year of the Leadership Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) program since the inaugural class in 2010.

Inductees were selected based on academic and athletic success, leadership, campus and community service involvement and recommendations of head coaches and academic counselors.

The 2017-18 class of L.E.A.D. inductees in the College of Education are:

• Vivi Babalis, gymnastics (sport management)
• Aliyah Johnson, track and field (pre-sport management)
• Nick Moore, football (math education)

Along with encouraging leadership development and providing resources to compete for awards and scholarships, the program gives student-athletes a chance to meet with local, state and industry leaders who have impacted their organizations and the surrounding community.

"The Leadership Academy provides an outstanding opportunity for a select group of our student-athletes to further their leadership journey," said Greg McGarity, the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. "These students are highly motivated and engaged in the total collegiate experience, and we are proud to have them represent UGA and the Athletic Association."

As L.E.A.D. participants, student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete for a graduate assistantship position within the UGA Athletic Association, as well as for conference awards, national awards and postgraduate scholarships, such as the NCAA Top VIII award, NCAA Woman of the Year award and the SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Postgraduate Scholarship.