Part of the Center for Sports Administration's mission is to encourage and support diversity in the sports industry, and we want to demonstrate that commitment here on the website. Today, we feature a Q&A with current student Brittany Tyree '15.

Hometown: University Heights, Ohio
Undergraduate School: Ohio University
Undergraduate major: Communication Studies

As a student who went through undergrad and is currently going through graduate school at Ohio University, how have the resources provided to diverse students during undergrad and during grad school helped you be successful?

The most powerful resource Ohio University continually offers their students year round is their faculty members. The faculty members at OU know how to lead by example and have served as role models for me throughout my time at OU. More specifically, my professors have shown me the importance of honing in on my strengths and becoming the best I can be.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have received since you began the MBA/MSA program here at OU?

The most valuable piece of advice I have received since I began graduate school at Ohio University is the importance of building a professional network. Building a professional network provides opportunities to develop contacts and exchange information. And with so many different avenues to go into in sports, having a professional network of contacts has helped me gain a better understanding of my interests and has helped me develop relationships with alumni throughout the industry.

How do you feel about the diversity initiatives the program has set currently, and how would you like to see it progress in the upcoming years?

Mr. Kahler, our director, has done a wonderful job in addressing the internal needs of diversity in our graduate program. Through the creation of our diversity committee, committee members have been able to set goals on how to enhance our recruiting efforts to attract and retain diverse members to our program. In addition, continued training on diversity will help prepare all graduate students in understanding how to work with a variety of people with different backgrounds.

How do you think our access to our alumni network will help you as it pertains to your time here and post graduate career?

Access to the alumni network has provided me with a family I can count on for support and advice. If I am ever in need of advice relating to my career goals, I am assured that other alumni who have been where I am will be able to offer advice to get me moving in the right direction.

Thanks go out to Brittany for sharing her opinions on the diversity program and the Ohio Sports Ad program at large. Stay on the lookout for continued features of our diverse alumni and current students!