UMD Launches Women Athletes Leadership Program with Under Armour and Luminary

The University of Maryland just kicked off a new initiative with Under Armour and Luminary. They’re teaming up to help women student-athletes move from sports into professional careers.

The UMD Women Athletes Leadership Program wants to give these athletes skills, mentorship, and a network to lean on. Maryland’s showing real commitment to helping its women athletes grow as leaders and professionals.

Empowering Women Athletes for Future Success

The main goal here? Close the gap between competing on the field and working in the real world. Women athletes face some unique challenges when they leave sports, and this program tries to meet those head-on.

Mentorship, professional development, and a network of leaders are all part of the deal. The idea is to make the transition out of athletics feel a little less daunting.

Partnership with Under Armour and Luminary

Under Armour and Luminary bring a lot of expertise and resources to the table. Under Armour, who’s been backing Maryland Athletics for a while, will give athletes swag boxes and access to their college-to-career progression path.

That’s right in line with Under Armour’s push to support women in sports and beyond. Luminary, which works globally in professional education and networking, will give each participant a year-long digital membership.

This includes three virtual leadership workshops and two in-person gatherings at Under Armour’s campus. With Luminary involved, these athletes get some solid professional development and a chance to make real connections.

Components of the Program

The UMD Women Athletes Leadership Program runs for a year and packs in a lot to help athletes grow.

Professional Development and Mentoring

Mentorship and professional development are front and center. Here’s what’s on offer:

• Peer-Coaching Cohort Journey: Athletes get paired up in peer-coaching cohorts through Luminary Crus, so there’s always someone in their corner.
• Leadership Workshops: They’ll take part in three virtual workshops that dive into key skills for careers after sports.
• Networking Opportunities: The program connects them with industry leaders and professionals, opening doors that might otherwise stay closed.

Career Pathing and Talent Investment

The program also focuses on helping athletes figure out their next steps and invest in their own talent. Here’s how:

• Career Pathing: They’ll get advice on finding and following career paths that fit their strengths and interests.
• Talent Investment: There are strategies in place to help build a pipeline of women leaders, whether they head into the workforce or entrepreneurship.

Testimonials from Participants

Tamari Gagoshidze, a senior on the women’s tennis team, is one of the first to join the program. She’s excited about the unique opportunities, especially connecting with experts and other athletes.

Tamari hopes to build stronger communication and leadership skills, both for her team and whatever comes next in her career.

Support from Maryland Alumni

Cate Luzio, who founded Luminary and graduated from Maryland, really gets the importance of backing women collegiate athletes. She thinks professional development opportunities make a huge difference for equality and long-term success after sports.

Her own connection to Maryland makes this partnership feel even more special to her.

The Broader Impact

This program isn’t just about career development. It’s about giving women athletes a real shot at success and pushing for more gender equality at work.

Creating a Lifetime of Brand Affinity

There’s another angle too: Under Armour could be building lifelong loyalty by supporting these athletes. By helping them transition into strong careers, the brand puts itself out front in the push for women’s leadership and growth.

Future Prospects

The UMD Women Athletes Leadership Program might inspire similar efforts at other universities. If more schools start backing women athletes as they move into professional roles, who knows where it could lead?

We could see a real shift in gender equality and leadership—maybe not just in sports, but across a bunch of industries.

Curious to learn more? Check out the official announcement.