Purpose

Senior sport administrators must develop strategic initiatives, demonstrate accountability, and communicate plans effectively to university leadership.

For this assignment, you will assume the role of Director of the STU MS Program in Sports Administration. You will prepare a formal proposal built around four strategic pillars:

1. Program Promotion & Enrollment Growth
2. Alumni Tracking System
3. Alumni Engagement Strategy
4. Program Outcome Assessment

You will submit both a formal written proposal and a recorded executive presentation.

---

Part I Formal University Proposal

Prepare a 46 page formal proposal written in the style of a document submitted to a Dean, Provost, or Graduate Council.

---

Cover Page

• Proposal Title
• Your Name
• Course (SPO 717)
• Date

---

Executive Summary (1 page maximum)

Summarize:

• The purpose of the proposal
• The four strategic pillars
• Anticipated impact on program quality and growth

This section should read like a high-level administrative overview.

---

The Four Strategic Pillars

---

Pillar I Program Promotion & Enrollment Growth

Develop at least three initiatives to increase program visibility and competitiveness.

For each initiative, address:

• Description
• Target audience
• Implementation responsibility
• Resource considerations
• Measurable outcomes

---

Pillar II Alumni Tracking System

Design a structured system for monitoring alumni career outcomes.

Include:

• Data collection methods (for example: surveys, LinkedIn tracking, CRM/database tools)
• Frequency of contact
• Responsible personnel
• Reporting format
• Key performance indicators (KPIs)

---

Pillar III Alumni Engagement Strategy

Develop at least three initiatives to maintain alumni involvement.

Examples may include:

• Alumni advisory board
• Mentorship program
• Internship pipeline partnerships
• Annual networking events
• Alumni spotlight campaigns

Explain how engagement supports recruitment, placement, and program reputation.

---

Pillar IV Program Outcome Assessment

Design a structured approach to assessing program effectiveness.

Address:

• Student learning outcomes (examples: leadership, ethical reasoning, communication, resource management)
• Assessment methods (capstone projects, internship evaluations, employer surveys, exit surveys)
• Timeline for assessment
• Use of assessment data for continuous improvement
• Reporting to stakeholders (Dean, accreditation bodies, advisory board)

This section should demonstrate understanding of accountability and academic leadership.

Here are the Program Learning Outcomes (i.e. these are what you are explaining how to measure):

PLO 1: Demonstrate ethical leadership and principled decision-making in the administration of sport organizations.

PLO 2: Apply strategic, legal, and organizational principles to address complex challenges in sports administration.

PLO 3: Conduct applied research to inform decision-making in sport organizations.

---

Leadership & Strategic Integration Section

Briefly explain how your four pillars collectively reflect:

• Strategic leadership
• Accountability and transparency
• Resource management
• Long-term sustainability
• Competitive positioning

---

Formatting Requirements

• 46 pages (excluding cover page)
• Double-spaced
• Clear professional headings
• Formal university tone
• Submit as Word or PDF

---

Part II Executive Presentation (Recorded Video)

Record a 68 minute executive presentation summarizing your proposal.

Imagine presenting to:

• The Dean
• University Leadership Council
• Advisory Board

---

Presentation Requirements

Your presentation should:

• Clearly summarize all four pillars
• Highlight measurable outcomes
• Demonstrate leadership confidence
• Be concise and strategic

Slides are recommended but optional.

---

Video Submission Requirements

• 68 minutes
• Professional appearance
• Clear delivery
• Submit directly in Canvas
• No external links
• Can be narrated slide show or you can record yourself pitching the proposal

Submission Format MP4 Video Required

Students must submit their narrated slideshow or pitch as an MP4 video file. PowerPoint (.pptx), Google Slides links, Keynote files, or other formats will not be accepted.

Before submitting, you must export or download your presentation as an MP4 video with narration embedded.

How to Export as MP4

If Using Microsoft PowerPoint (Windows or Mac):

1. Complete your slides and record narration on each slide.
2. Click File.
3. Select Export.
4. Choose Create a Video.
5. Ensure Use Recorded Timings and Narrations is selected.
6. Select Full HD (1080p) quality.
7. Click Create Video.
8. Save the file as an MP4.

If Using Google Slides:

1. Complete your slides.
2. Use a screen recording tool (such as Zoom, Panopto, Screencast-O-Matic, or similar) to record your presentation while narrating.
3. Save the recording as an MP4 file.

If Using Apple Keynote:

1. Click File.
2. Select Export To.
3. Choose Movie.
4. Select Slideshow Recording.
5. Choose 1080p resolution.
6. Export as an MP4 file.

Technical Requirements

Length: 6-8 minutes
Narration must be clearly audible

Slides must advance automatically or smoothly during narration

WRITE MY PAPER