DALLAS, Texas. - Nebraska Wesleyan student-athletes Mady Schoffstall (women's soccer) and Colin Wojtkiewicz (men's track and field) returned to campus with a new sense of direction after participating in the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum held in late November in Dallas, Texas.
The four-day program, coordinated by the NCAA leadership development staff, brought together 245 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from across all three divisions. Only a select fraction of nominees nationwide earn the opportunity to attend, highlighting the significance of Schoffstall and Wojtkiewicz's selection as representatives of NWU and the American Rivers Conference.
The forum centered around the theme Adjust Your Sails, inspired by the idea that while student-athletes cannot control every challenge they face, they can control how they respond. The curriculum pushed learners to evaluate their core values, strengthen emotional intelligence, lean into vulnerability and stretch their leadership capacity in ways that can benefit their teams and communities back home.
Both Schoffstall and Wojtkiewicz were placed into color teams that mixed student-athletes and administrators from across the country. Each group worked through a series of workshops designed to build trust, spark introspective conversations and create genuine connection among people who began the week as strangers. By the end, many walked away with new mentors, peers and future collaborators across the national landscape of college athletics.
"My experience at the Leadership Forum was phenomenal," said Wojtkiewicz. "I learned what it truly means to lead, how to listen with intention, and how empathy strengthens every team. I came back with more confidence in myself and a clearer understanding of the kind of leader I want to be. The four days went fast, but the impact is something I'll carry with me."
The program also featured sessions led by prominent national voices. Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement, spoke about how personal values shape decisions. Learners spent additional time exploring well-being and mental health, guided by experts such as Angel Brutus of Synergistic Solutions and Nyaka NiiLampti of the NFL's clinical services team. Administrators and coaches attending the forum engaged with professional development strategist Lamar Pottinger, who outlined the leadership pipeline framework and how responsibilities evolve as individuals grow within their organizations.
One of the most impactful moments for all attendees came during the community service initiative supporting residents of Genesis Women's Shelter and Support in Dallas. Student-athletes assembled care packages and wrote messages of encouragement, grounding the week's leadership lessons in real, immediate impact.
Keynote speaker Will Baggett closed the forum with a call to embrace discomfort as a necessary step in the path toward becoming an authentic, effective leader. His message reinforced the idea that leadership is not a title but a commitment to action, reflection and purpose.
"I am truly honored to have participated in the NCAA Leadership Forum this year, connecting with so many passionate and driven leaders from across the nation", said Schoffstall. "The experience gave me fresh insights on teamwork and leadership, and I'm excited to bring these lessons back to NWU by approaching every day with purpose and leading with intention and compassion."
For Schoffstall and Wojtkiewicz, the experience wasn't simply about attending a national program. It was about returning to Lincoln with tangible tools, broadened perspective and an elevated understanding of how they can influence culture within their teams and campus community. Their participation also reflects Nebraska Wesleyan's continued commitment to fostering leadership growth and preparing student-athletes for life well beyond their competitive careers.
As they reintegrate these lessons into their daily routines and team environments, their impact will ripple across Prairie Wolves athletics long after the week in Dallas.
