ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College Leadership Academy welcomed dozens of new members as the 2015 spring semester programming began January 27 at the Hill Center. It is the first step in completing a four-year curriculum that instills traits and philosophies that will be applicable in athletes' sport participation at Ithaca College and will also serve them in professional and personal endeavors for the rest of their lives.

These newly-active Leadership Academy participants are members of the Ithaca College Class of 2018 and will be the first group to complete the comprehensive four-year curriculum.

The Leadership Academy, led by Dr. Greg Shelley, was introduced in the spring of 2014 and is fully implemented for the 2014-15 school year. Approximately 300 student-athletes representing all 27 varsity sports will participate in the program, which builds upon its curriculum across each year of the Academy.
 
Selected first-year student-athletes will take part in the Developing Leaders program. The sophomore student-athletes will progress into the Rising Leaders Program, and juniors will participate in the Team Leaders Program. The Leadership Academy positions Ithaca College as having the nation's premier Division III sports leadership development program.