INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - 2018 graduate and Lady Lions hurdler, jumper and sprinter Ashley Tasher represented the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Leadership Development Career in Sports Forum. The Career in Sports Forum is an annual educational forum hosted and sponsored by the NCAA that brings together 200 student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on college athletics. There was no registration fee associated with the Forum. The NCAA graciously covered costs associated with lodging, meals and program materials, including a free flight for Tasher to Indianapolis.

"I learned so much in Indianapolis," said Tasher. "I am grateful for the opportunity to represent UAPB at the NCAA convention. There was a lot of information about leadership and the positions in athletics and how they function that can truly benefit my career because I want to work in public relations one day. In my opinion, Penny Semaia had the best presentation because he talked about personal and professional branding, and how to really market yourself."

Out of nearly 600 people that applied, only about 200 were admitted to the program. Applicants were selected by their university's Academic Services department. In this case, Kimberly Evans, UAPB's Director of Academic Services, nominated the worthy candidate.

"I was nominated by our Director of Academic Services, Mrs. Kim Evans" said Tasher. "At first I had to look it up to see what it was, because I wanted to make sure that it would be beneficial for me. Once I realized it was a leadership development, I was excited and determined. We were simply required to answer five questions regarding the pros and cons of being an athlete, and what changes you would make. We also had discuss how we would improve academic performance in the classroom. The questions were short in number (5) but invoked some thought in our answers."

Two things stood out for the Brooklyn, New York, native during the Forum.

"My favorite exercise that we did was the DiSC assessment, which is simply a self-reflection on how you are as a person as well as how you work not only by yourself but how you work with others," said Tasher. Participants learned about their behavioral style and learned how to apply it in their professional careers.

"It gave us a lot of insight on ourselves," Tasher explained. "It helped us really learn about ourselves. When asked which of the four letters she was, Tasher responded without hesitation.

I'm a "C!" Conscious and conscientious. 

For more information on the DiSC Assessment, click here.  For more information on the NCAA's Career in Sports Forum, click here.