Hobart and William Smith Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Liz Dennison is one of 21 administrators nationwide selected to participate in the 2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program. The yearlong initiative prepares senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
 
Dennison joined the HWS Athletics leadership team as associate director of athletics in November 2021 and was promoted to deputy athletic director in 2024. She came to the HWS following three years as the director of athletics at Sacred Heart Greenwich, a college preparatory school for girls in Connecticut.

Dennison's duties at HWS include facility management, budget management, and sport oversight for 14 of HWS' 31 varsity teams. She is the tournament manager for the 2026 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, which will be hosted on McCooey Field in November. Dennison also plays a lead role in the administration of the Heron Society, the booster group for William Smith Athletics, and the Heron Hall of Honor.
 
Additionally, Dennison is the chair of the NCAA Division III Rowing Committee and an Intercollegiate Rowing Association steward. She serves on several committees across the HWS campus and teaches Contemporary Concepts in Sports Management.
 
Participants will examine how values shape leadership philosophy and execution within college athletics and higher education. The curriculum builds practical knowledge in budgeting, strategic planning and fundraising to support both current responsibilities and future roles. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight. Grounded in experiential learning, the program challenges participants to address current and emerging issues across the collegiate athletics landscape.
 
The 2026-27 cohort is meeting for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis this week. Division I participants will reconvene Oct. 4-9 in Indianapolis for additional development and governance meeting observation. Division II and III participants will reconvene Oct. 18-23 in Indianapolis. The program will conclude in the summer of 2027 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Orlando, Florida.
 
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 300 program alumni. In the past five years alone, 26% of program alumni have become directors of athletics or conference commissioners, while more than 55% have received promotions.