GUNNISON, Colo. --- Western Colorado University Associate Athletics Director of Operations and Facilities Katie Benoit is one of 20 senior-level administrators throughout all levels of the NCAA to be selected to the 2020-21 Pathway Program.

The participants are selected by the NCAA leadership development office, in partnership with the Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, with the goal of preparing them to attain positions as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

Benoit, who is also the Mountaineers' senior women's administrator,  is entering her fifth year at Western Colorado in 2020-21. In her time with the Mountaineers, she's helped lead three of the highest grossing MAA Crab Feed and golf tournaments in Western history. She's also started other development programs and activities with Western's teams while overseeing the Mountaineer Athletic Association and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In 2018, Benoit hosted Western's first National Women and Girls in Sport Day event featuring a free youth clinic - and has continued to grow the annual event since.

"I am honored to be chosen to participate in such a transformational program," Benoit said. "I look forward to the opportunity to learn from some of the best and brightest in our industry and to develop my leadership skills to improve in my role at Western for our staff and student-athletes."

In the yearlong Pathway Program, participants engage in experiential learning opportunities focused on advancing them to the top role in an athletics department or conference, while building their skills to thrive in their current duties. This includes a focus on how to thrive in the ever-evolving intercollegiate athletics landscape shaped by recent prominent developments in society.

"The Pathway Program represents one of NCAA leadership development's most transformative offerings. Through investing in the development of those who coach, teach and lead them, we have a profound impact on the student-athlete experience through engaging participants in this marquee program," said DeeDee Merritt, director of leadership development. "This track record in achieving its intended outcome has resulted in the creation of a vast alumni pool populated with the most influential leaders in college sports."

Benoit is one of five NCAA Division II senior-level administrators to be selected this year.