The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation is the recipient of a $3,000 grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation. The grant will help to enhance the Pioneer Leadership Institute, thereby having a direct impact on Pioneer student-athletes’ leadership and career development opportunities.
Unveiled in 2020, the Pioneer Leadership Institute is a collaborative partnership between the Department of Athletics and the greater campus community. Its mission is to develop, challenge and support students and staff via leadership and career development initiatives, interactive workshops and impactful peer mentorship programming.
"We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Green Bay Packer Foundation, which will allow us to provide our student-athletes with intentional programming focused on personal enhancement, community engagement, career and leadership development,” said Dr. Kristina Navarro, director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation and Assistant Chancellor for Sports Administration. “This grant will allow us to continue on the pursuit of our goal to provide a transformational experience for our student-athletes across 16 sport programs. It is an honor to work with these students on a daily basis and observe their growth as servant leaders on campus and in the community."
The Pioneer Leadership Institute currently includes 75 members of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, 60 Pioneer Leaders and 150 Freshmen Rising Pioneers.
"Over the past year and a half, the Pioneer Leadership Institute has provided our UW-Platteville student-athletes with an opportunity to personally grow as leaders both on our campus and in the community,” said Spencer Butterfield, a senior sustainability and renewable energy systems major, member of the men’s soccer team, and president of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. “The process of inspiring young leaders can be challenging. Our PLI program has required many hours of hard work and collaboration from both program leaders and upperclassmen student-athletes to mentor our Rising Pioneer freshmen. This grant from the Green Bay Packer Foundation shows us that we are on the right path to making a positive difference in our community. The support received will help us tremendously in the coming years as we continue to Pioneer Forward and grow more aspiring young leaders from within our athletic department."
The Green Bay Packers Foundation grant program is part of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the Packers’ all-encompassing community outreach initiative. The Foundation awards grants each year based on particular focus areas. The 2021 program awarded grants to organizations that will use the funds to address arts and culture, athletics and education causes.
For more information about the Pioneer Leadership Institute, visit https://letsgopioneers.com/information/PLI.