INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 6, 2016) – Drew University Faculty Athletics Representative Sarah Abramowitz has been selected as a 2016 NCAA Division III FAR Fellow. She joins two other FARs from the Landmark Conference, Robert Brill of Moravian College and David Imhoof of Susquehanna University.

The FAR Fellows Institute was launched in 2010 and aims to increase the effectiveness of Division III FARs at the campus, conference and national levels.

"I'm excited to meet other FARs and learn about best practices," Abramowitz said. "I also look forward to bringing these ideas and experiences back to Drew University to benefit our athletic department and its student-athletes."

Dr. Abramowitz is a Professor of Mathematics, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Coordinator of Statistics Instruction at Drew. She received a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Cornell University, an M.S. degree in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from New York University. Dr. Abramowitz has been a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Drew University since 1998 and specializes in Educational Statistics.

Dr. Abramowitz has co-authored two books, "Statistics Using IBM SPSS: An Integrative Approach; 3^rd Edition" and "Statistics Using Stata." She had previously served as Drew's Faculty Athletics Representative from 2006-09 during the formation of the Landmark Conference. In addition to her full-time roles at Drew, Dr. Abramowitz also serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistics Education and as a member of the Annual Planning and Budget Committee and the Committee on Faculty for Drew.

Dr. Abramowitz is also an avid volunteer at the Sean Casey Animal Rescue based out of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Institute attendees will participate in a three-day professional development program at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16. The components of the program provide a thorough examination of best practices and issues surrounding the role and responsibility of the FAR, help FAR Fellows develop the leadership skills necessary to carry out their responsibilities on campus and in their conference, and strengthen the network of FARs needed to serve on conference, divisional and association-wide committees. The Institute will conclude with FAR Fellows committing to taking action on at least one idea. Highlights from 2015 included:

Campus

1. Establish a Faculty Mentoring Program.
2. Share data on student-athlete academic success with faculty.
3. Develop athletic advisory board.
4. Increase FAR involvement with campus SAAC.

Conference

1. Attend conference meetings with ADs, Presidents, and SAAC.
2. Contact other FARs in the conference to make introductions and share ideas.
3. Report to conference peers what was learned at the FAR Institute

National

1. Attend the FARA Annual Meeting and Symposium.
2. Nominate students for NCAA post-graduate scholarships.
3. Read the Division III monthly update.