Bowie State University student-athletes Payton Swinton and Arianna Clayton participated in the 2026 CIAA SAAC Summer Summit in Charlotte, NC, from July 22-24. The event, aimed at developing leadership and professional skills, brought together student-athlete leaders from the CIAA for networking and resource-sharing opportunities. Attendees dove into various activities, including workshops, tours, and team-building exercises, promoting personal and professional growth. Both Swinton and Clayton expressed that the summit significantly enhanced their leadership capabilities and confidence in networking as student-athletes.

By the Numbers
  • Attendees included student-athlete leaders from across the CIAA conference.
  • The summit spanned three days, featuring sessions on leadership, financial literacy, and media training.
State of Play
  • The CIAA SAAC Summer Summit is an annual event focused on empowering student-athletes.
  • Participants return to their respective institutions equipped with new skills and strategies to enhance their campus SAAC organizations.
What's Next

Bowie State's SAAC representatives are expected to implement learned strategies to foster better advocacy and support for fellow student-athletes back on campus. This summit experience may lead to enhanced collaboration within campus organizations and improved outreach initiatives.

Bottom Line

The CIAA SAAC Summer Summit is a pivotal opportunity for student-athletes to develop essential skills that will empower them as leaders on their campuses. Events like these emphasize the importance of networking and professional growth in shaping the future of student-athlete advocacy.