RENO, Nev. – Nevada Associate Athletics Director, Game Operations & Events Brianna Gladney was selected to take part in the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, the NCAA announced this week.

The Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute is a program that aims to elevate minority administrators professionally, further developing their leadership skills to accelerate personal growth and enhance their ability to excel within their current roles.

Gladney, who joined Nevada in June 2022, is one of 17 minority athletics administrators tabbed to begin their first year of the institute with a week of professional development programming this July 15-22 in New Orleans.

In her short time at Nevada, Gladney has been a pivotal member of the Wolf Pack's game ops and events team, most recently spearheading the department's 2023 Mackay Stadium parking exit plan which was announced July 12.

The first week with the institute will consist of activities and key learning focused on exploring career aspirations and enhancing essential skills. Attendees will spend time exploring goals, clarifying values and looking closer at their behavioral styles, as well as those of their peers. As part of the programming, administrators take part in an intensive budget activity, allowing them to engage fellow learners and refine practical problem-solving skills.

Further exercises involve gaining knowledge in several areas, including the challenges of minority leadership within college athletics, student-athlete welfare issues, strategic planning, budget management, fundraising, compliance, human resources and performance management within the organization.

More than 400 administrators have graduated from the Leadership Institute since it started in 2002, and more than 60 percent of those have gone on to hold senior leadership positions in college athletics. Since their engagement in the 2021 Leadership Institute, 75 percent of administrators participating in the second year of the program have received promotions.