Four student-athletes from two NEWMAC institutions have been selected to the NCAA Student Immersion Program.

Two student-athletes from Smith College, Daniela Pilier (Higuey, Dominican Repubic) and Sofia Trotta (Guilford, Conn.), and two from Springfield College, Samantha Paul (Albany, N.Y.) and Michael Scott (Shoreview, Minn.), were selected to the program.
 
Samantha Paul is a junior track and field athlete at Springfield, majoring in Communications/Sports Journalism. Michael Scott is also a junior track and field athlete, majoring in Applied Exercise Science.
 
Sofia Trotta is a graduate student who competes on the rowing team for Smith. Daniela Pilier is a sophomore on the track and field team, whose major is Quantitative Economics.
 
The Division III Student Immersion Program is held annually in conjunction with the NCAA Convention. Selected students are fully funded to attend the Convention, and are exposed to Division III, its members, and its governance process. In addition to the scheduled Division III programming, grant recipients receive DiSC training, and attend welcome and debrief meetings. The goal is to build a pipeline of talented ethnic minority candidates, with an interest in Division III coaching and/or administration, to ultimately diversify the division.
 
Paul, Scott, Trotta and Pilier will join 34 addition Division III student-athletes as they head to Phoenix, Arizona for the 2024 NCAA Convention, from January 10 through January 14. In addition to the Immersion Program, those selected will have the opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders, as well as attend NCAA and NEWMAC meetings.

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with four Associate Members: Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), while sponsoring 20 sports.