Dr. Rhonda Beemer, who serves as the faculty athletics representative (FAR) at Northwest Missouri State University, is among 18 renowned faculty experts from throughout the country selected to participate in the NCAA Division II FAR Fellows Institute.

Now in its 12th year, the program helps participants develop an enhanced understanding of the roles and critical functions of an NCAA Division II FAR. In lieu of the typical in-person three-day Institute, the 2020 fellows will participate in a year-long series of virtual interactive webinars to learn leadership and collaboration skills, the role of the FAR in communication with different campus constituencies, and protection of student welfare with an emphasis on mental health during the time of COVID-19 when many fall sports seasons have been canceled or postponed.

The NCAA anticipates the 2020 institute will culminate with an in-person session in September 2021 for which Beemer will construct an action for a specific project or enhancing the role of the FAR at Northwest or within the MIAA conference.

Additionally, Beemer recently was selected as a NCAA Division II Women Leaders X grant recipient. The grant award provides recipients with a one-year membership with Women Leaders in College Sports, a premier leadership organization that develops, connects and advances women working in college sports and beyond. Beemer participated Sept. 22 in the NCAA/Women Leaders Division II Governance Academy and will join Women Leaders X Oct. 11-12.

Beemer was named Northwest’s FAR last year and is responsible for a number of activities related to institutional control of intercollegiate athletics at the University. A member of the Northwest faculty since 2015, she also serves as an associate professor of health and physical education in Northwest’s School of Health Science and Wellness.