American University

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MISSION: 

To create opportunities for student-athletes to develop and expand their leadership skills, 
experience personal growth, be challenged, 
and have formational experiences that will guide their futures. 

Originally established in 2018 as the AU Eagles Leadership Academy through the Student-Athlete Support Program (SASP), the academy was renamed the Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith AU Eagles Life Skills and Leadership Academy in June 2020 in recognition of gifts totaling $1.5 million from Board of Trustees member Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith.

In memory of her husband, Bennett-Smith made an initial gift in 2017 to establish the Orin R. Smith Life Skills Etiquette Dinner, an annual business and networking skills event. The Bennett-Smith Leadership Academy also provides other professional development activities, leadership seminars, and community service and engagement opportunities. 

The motivation for Bennett-Smith’s giving to AU Athletics is a belief in the importance of competitive training on young men and women, and the life-long lessons honed through sports. In doing so, she also honors the memory Orin and their shared passion for athletics. 

In May of 2019, 17 American University student-athletes embarked on the first-ever international Eagles in Service trip through a partnership with the Courts for Kids organization.

Organized by SASP Senior Academic Counselor Spencer Bonahoom, the trip sent those 17 student-athletes and three staff members to the small rural community of Tercera Linea, Paraguay, to assist community members in the construction of a multipurpose sports court.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GOALS:

To develop student-athletes into lifelong learners and leaders.

To provide student-athletes opportunities to learn leadership skills and theories 
and reflect on their own abilities.

To create an environment for growth and transformation through active, 
diverse and experiential learning.

To build engagement in student-athletes that will inspire action - carrying the 
vision to their teams, our department, and the community.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY COMPONENTS:

Emerging Eagles is the foundation of the Leadership Academy, a program that all student-athletes will participate in during their second year at AU (first year for transfer student-athletes). Its mission is to engage all student-athletes in personal growth and exploration of their leadership style, and to establish a foundation of self-leadership that they can expand on through their time at AU on their teams and in the classroom.

Rising Eagles is the second phase of leadership development, and student-athletes are eligible to apply to participate after they have completed Emerging Eagles. Its mission is to create an environment that promotes a deeper exploration of leadership and various leadership styles and theories. It also aims to foster leadership growth among student-athletes dedicated to developing their skills and becoming leaders on their team and on campus.

Soaring Eagles is focused on supporting the multiple transitions of student-athletes throughout their college career and in their preparation for life after AU. It also supports the process of the athlete identity shift and seeks to promote education and growth on topics that include professional leadership, social justice, financial literacy and more.

Eagles in Service is the final component of the Leadership Academy, and it aims to complete the academy's mission. Specifically, it focuses on creating opportunities for student-athletes to have formational experiences that will guide their futures. Overall, Eagles in Service aims to engage student-athletes in a service learning project, focusing on developing leadership through experiential learning.