Dean Bridget Niland and Dr. Darren Treadway Publish Article in College and University Journal

Dr. Bridget Niland, dean of the College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management at Niagara University, and Dr. Darren Treadway, associate professor in the college, recently published an article titled "Managing the Maze: High School Student-Athletes Navigation of the College Choice" in College & University Journal.

The article examines how high school student-athletes who desire a college athletics roster spot narrate their college choice, drawing from the results of a study the authors performed exploring students' experiences with the various elements of selecting a college, including athletic recruitment and NCAA initial-eligibility processes. Their study investigated support systems provided by schools, parents, and other sources that may affect a student's success in understanding and navigating athletic recruitment and initial-eligibility. It also looked at American youth sports, particularly private club sports, and how it situates high school student-athletes to secure college roster spots and athletic scholarships, and considered the experiences of students who lack access to the private youth sports model.

"Earning a college degree in the United States, especially from a college or university deemed elite or prestigious, is seen as the path to a more financially secure and prosperous life for the student and their family," Dr. Niland said. "Competition for financial aid or admission to top-ranked colleges and universities is fierce. For this reason, families of all different income brackets find whatever advantage within their means to gain scholarship dollars and admission preference. It is well-documented by both scholars and mass media outlets that athletics is among the best available paths to college access and admission, but securing a collegiate roster spot at any institution is difficult and entails numerous hours away from academics and navigating an additional layer of regulations."

Dr. Niland, an experienced higher education and sports law professional, joined Niagara University as dean of its College of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2021. She has published and presented on a number of topics, including gambling and collegiate athletics, managing the maze in a pandemic for 2020 high school graduates, and gender in sport.

She earned her B.A. in history, political science, and legal studies, and her Ph.D.in educational leadership and policy-higher education administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She also holds a juris doctor from SUNY Buffalo School of Law.

Dr. Treadway is a noted scholar whose research focuses on social influence and human resource processes in organizations. He has published more than 50 articles in scholarly journals and his work has been highlighted in popular outlets such as Time, Forbes, Business Week, SHRM, and BBC.

He received a Ph.D. from Florida State University, an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a B.S. from Concord College.

Published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Office, College & University is a peer-reviewed, educational policy journal focusing on research and best practices in higher education. For nearly 100 years, the journal has shared knowledge, inspired action, and brought a voice to the admissions and records/registration professions and beyond. The journal publishes articles that are grounded in research and inform practice.