Big Poet Give 2023

The Poet Student-Athlete Leadership Academy will develop, challenge and support student-athletes and coaches in their quest to become world-class leaders in athletics, academics, and life.  The Leadership Academy will create a positive learning environment for personal growth, rooted in the foundations of pride, integrity, and commitment to excellence.  Our goal is to create a strong network of disciplined and confident Poet leaders, who are prepared to become Champions in Life.

This Big Poet Give we're fundraising for 3 areas: 

1. Black Student-Athlete Summit

"The Black Student-Athlete Summit is the only event of its kind that caters to the holistic development of the Black Student-Athlete. Our three action-packed days are filled with dope content, dope people, and dope networking. The goal of the Summit is to empower Black Student-Athletes to maximize their college experience by killin’ it in the classroom and to not leave “any meat on the bone” in terms of opportunities. Professional staff who attend the Summit are empowered to go back to their campuses and create innovative initiatives to ensure that Black Student-Athletes are competitive in the global workforce upon graduation.“– per the BSA Summit website

2. PSALA Leadership Retreat

The PSALA retreat was designed to bring together student-athletes that are invested in the development of both our student-athletes and the student body as a whole. The retreat discussed the current climate of Whittier College and the challenges facing our student population. Our student-athlete leaders learned tactics and techniques that they could implement on their teams to increase inclusion and equity in our athletic department. 

3. Student-Athlete Leadership Program

Our athletic department interns learn how to think critically, hone in on their professionalism, and develop a sense of purpose and accomplishment for their work. Interns will share their ideas and take an active role in creating environments and spaces in the department that will build and foster relationships with their peers to promote student engagement. Interns leaving this position will feel empowered to advocate for their peers at the administrative level. By having interns at Whittier College, all students will benefit from a well-rounded experience that immerses them in different sports cultures, communities, and college experiences.