Where are they now? Featuring: Danielle Pulliam

Where are they now?

Danielle Pulliam

EdD in Global Sport Leadership Year of Graduation: 2020

Why did you choose ETSU for your education?

I chose to attend ETSU because of the unique style of the Global Sport Leadership (GSLD) program. The program offers opportunities for students to study abroad, engage with sport professionals, and create a visual capstone to go with their dissertation. When exploring graduate programs, what was essential for me was finding an EdD program that encouraged students to go beyond theory to practice. The curriculum of the ETSU program was exactly what I was looking for.

What is your current position and/or research?

Currently, I serve as the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Student-Athlete Development at Loyola University Chicago. What does this position/research entail?

From a macro perspective, I have oversight of Academic Services for all 15 Loyola University of Chicago athletic programs. I serve as a member of the athletic department senior leadership team, and I am the department’s diversity and inclusion designee. As the liaison for athletic academics, I collaborate with university constituents such as the provost, admissions, and college of undergraduate and graduate studies to ensure our student-athletes have the resources and support needed to pursue their degrees.

How did your time at ETSU prepare you for this career?

The ETSU GSLD program prepared me for my current career by challenging me to learn about the various components of sport (specifically college athletics) and helping me discover my passions. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn about sport internationally, but I also developed a different perspective of sports that I had no prior experience in. Through the GSLD program, I was introduced to topics such as fundraising, grant writing, strategic planning, departmental budgeting, and more. The lessons covering these topics were tangible, and they allowed me to immediately incorporate what I learned into my professional career.

What advice would you offer current or future graduate students?

One piece of advice I would tell current or future graduate students is: there is power in saying “I don’t know.” I realized that each time I have been honest and self-aware enough to say “I don’t know,” it provided me an opportunity to gain wisdom. Learning should be constant. If you find yourself knowing everything, then it is probably time to reevaluate your environment.