INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) is pleased to announce that Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator Lauren Bryne-Dunn has been selected to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program for the 2026-27 academic year.
The NCAA Pathway Program is a yearlong leadership development initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for future service as directors of athletics and conference commissioners. Since its inception in 1997, the program has produced more than 300 alumni, with 26 percent of participants over the past five years advancing to athletic director or conference commissioner positions and more than 55 percent earning promotions within collegiate athletics.
"The NCAA Pathway Program represents an incredible opportunity to grow as a leader and learn from some of the most respected professionals in college athletics," said Bryne-Dunn. "I am excited to engage with peers from across the country, challenge myself through this experience, and continue developing the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact within the industry."
The Pathway Program focuses on values-based leadership development and provides participants with practical training in budgeting, strategic planning, fundraising, executive communication, media relations, and interview preparation. Throughout the year, participants engage in division-specific programming, governance meetings, site visits, and mentorship opportunities with both college presidents and athletics directors.
Bryne-Dunn joined the MIAA as Assistant Commissioner in August 2020 and was promoted to Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator in July 2024. During her tenure, she has become a respected leader within NCAA Division III and across multiple professional organizations.
Since August 2020, Bryne-Dunn has been an active member of the Division III Assistant Commissioners Group (D3ACG). She served as Second Vice Chair of the organization's Executive Board during the 2025-26 academic year and will assume the role of Vice Chair in 2026-27. She also served as the MIAA's representative on the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Regional Advisory Committee the last three years.
Bryne-Dunn has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership development and inclusion throughout her career. She was selected to attend the NCAA Division III Senior Woman Administrator Program in 2023, became an NCAA Division III Inclusive Leadership Workshop Facilitator in 2024, and facilitated her first workshop in June 2025. She was also chosen to participate in the NCAA Fall Summit and Impact Forum in 2025 and recently completed the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Inclusion Fellowship.
Her professional involvement extends to numerous national committees, including the CSC Professional Development and Continuing Education Committee, CSC Mentorship Committee, and the D3ACG Professional Development Committee. In recognition of her accomplishments and potential as a leader in collegiate athletics, Bryne-Dunn was named to the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 and later selected to serve on the program's selection committee.
Bryne-Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 2018 before completing a master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State University in 2020. Prior to joining the MIAA, she served as a Sports Information Graduate Intern at Wayne State and gained professional experience with the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the Detroit Lions.
Bryne-Dunn's selection places her among a distinguished group of 21 athletics administrators from across the country chosen for the 2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program. She is one of only four participants representing NCAA Division III and the only attendee from a conference office. Bryne-Dunn is currently attending the program's opening session in Indianapolis, June 21-25, where the cohort will begin a yearlong leadership development experience.
"Lauren's selection is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the leadership she brings to our conference every day," commented MIAA Commissioner Jason Horn. "This is one of the most prestigious and selective opportunities in our industry, and we are proud to have her representing the MIAA."
The NCAA Pathway Program will conclude with participant recognition at the 2027 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.