Harris & Toomey Both Complete Steve McDonnell Professional Development Institute
6/24/2026 10:23:00 AM | General
LAS VEGAS – 2 Quinnipiac Athletics staff members recently graduated from a NACDA-affiliated professional development institute. Alicia Harris and Jackson Toomey – members of the Academic Support team at QU – both completed the Steve McDonnell Professional Development Institute (PDI). The program is comprised of five individual tracks, each dedicated to providing a robust, transformative professional development experience for industry professionals.
Harris completed the New Practitioner track, while Toomey completed the Learning Specialist track.
"I am incredibly proud of Jackson and Alicia for completing the Institute," said Associate AD for Academic Support Kristen Casamento. "The experience was just another level of their dedication to the field, their students, and their professional growth. The connections they have made are invaluable."
New Practitioner (NP): The NP track is designed for professionals who are somewhat new to the field (working less than 5 years) and want to grow their skills, knowledge, and best practices for serving student-athletes in an advising or similar capacity. Faculty are experienced Advisors, Directors, Associate & Senior Associate Athletic Directors.
The New Practitioner Track provided Harris an opportunity to engage in professional development sessions, networking, and discussions with fellow new practitioners in college athletics. Through the program, participants gained valuable insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics, developed skills to be more effective in their role, and learned practical strategies for self-advocacy and self-awareness. The experience also reinforced the importance of utilizing colleagues and professional networks as resources for continued growth and success in the field.
"PDI was one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my career so far," said Alicia Harris, Assistant AD for Academic Support. "PDI provided me with invaluable knowledge, authentic connections, and a renewed sense of confidence in my ability to make an impact in college athletics."
Learning Specialist (LS): The LS track is designed for current or aspiring learning specialists at the high school, two-year college, or four-year college levels. Topics include evaluation, learning disability testing models, successful collaboration with other academic staff, and best practices for work with underprepared students or students with learning differences. Participants can be new to the field or have multiple years working as a learning specialist. Faculty members are current Directors of Learning Resources, Learning Specialists, and experienced Administrators.
Toomey had the opportunity to learn from and work with experienced PDI faculty members and connect with other Learning Specialists in the field. There were interactive sessions on topics including screening and determining caseloads, teaching and applying learning strategies, managing conflict, contemplating artificial intelligence, and growing professionally.
"The Learning Specialist track of PDI was an incredible experience," said Jackson Toomey, Assistant AD for Academic Support. "I learned so much from the faculty and participants. I now have new tools and ideas that I am excited to implement at Quinnipiac. I took many lessons away from my time with the group and now have a network of learning specialists I can communicate with moving forward."
Overview and Mission of PDI
The Steve McDonnell Professional Development Institute (PDI) is N4A's longest running and most comprehensive professional development opportunity for N4A members. Since 2005, N4A has provided an innovative, transformational leadership experience or "boot camp" for individuals seeking to excel in the field of academic and student-athlete support services. The 2.5-day immersive experience brings industry leaders together for the purpose of advancing participants' knowledge, leadership, and skills. Sessions consist of instructional sessions, interactive exercises, team presentations, and individual reflection and growth exercises. Participants will also complete several assignments before the in-person PDI experience. There are over 760 PDI alumni nationwide who comprise an active and engaged network.
Harris completed the New Practitioner track, while Toomey completed the Learning Specialist track.
"I am incredibly proud of Jackson and Alicia for completing the Institute," said Associate AD for Academic Support Kristen Casamento. "The experience was just another level of their dedication to the field, their students, and their professional growth. The connections they have made are invaluable."
New Practitioner (NP): The NP track is designed for professionals who are somewhat new to the field (working less than 5 years) and want to grow their skills, knowledge, and best practices for serving student-athletes in an advising or similar capacity. Faculty are experienced Advisors, Directors, Associate & Senior Associate Athletic Directors.
The New Practitioner Track provided Harris an opportunity to engage in professional development sessions, networking, and discussions with fellow new practitioners in college athletics. Through the program, participants gained valuable insights into navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics, developed skills to be more effective in their role, and learned practical strategies for self-advocacy and self-awareness. The experience also reinforced the importance of utilizing colleagues and professional networks as resources for continued growth and success in the field.
"PDI was one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my career so far," said Alicia Harris, Assistant AD for Academic Support. "PDI provided me with invaluable knowledge, authentic connections, and a renewed sense of confidence in my ability to make an impact in college athletics."
Learning Specialist (LS): The LS track is designed for current or aspiring learning specialists at the high school, two-year college, or four-year college levels. Topics include evaluation, learning disability testing models, successful collaboration with other academic staff, and best practices for work with underprepared students or students with learning differences. Participants can be new to the field or have multiple years working as a learning specialist. Faculty members are current Directors of Learning Resources, Learning Specialists, and experienced Administrators.
Toomey had the opportunity to learn from and work with experienced PDI faculty members and connect with other Learning Specialists in the field. There were interactive sessions on topics including screening and determining caseloads, teaching and applying learning strategies, managing conflict, contemplating artificial intelligence, and growing professionally.
"The Learning Specialist track of PDI was an incredible experience," said Jackson Toomey, Assistant AD for Academic Support. "I learned so much from the faculty and participants. I now have new tools and ideas that I am excited to implement at Quinnipiac. I took many lessons away from my time with the group and now have a network of learning specialists I can communicate with moving forward."
Overview and Mission of PDI
The Steve McDonnell Professional Development Institute (PDI) is N4A's longest running and most comprehensive professional development opportunity for N4A members. Since 2005, N4A has provided an innovative, transformational leadership experience or "boot camp" for individuals seeking to excel in the field of academic and student-athlete support services. The 2.5-day immersive experience brings industry leaders together for the purpose of advancing participants' knowledge, leadership, and skills. Sessions consist of instructional sessions, interactive exercises, team presentations, and individual reflection and growth exercises. Participants will also complete several assignments before the in-person PDI experience. There are over 760 PDI alumni nationwide who comprise an active and engaged network.
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