University of Texas Permian Basin President Dr. Sandra Woodley has been elected Chair of the NCAA Division II Executive Board for 2026. She will also serve as a voting member of the NCAA Board of Governors, the Association’s highest governing body.
As chair of the Division II Executive Board, Dr. Woodley will lead the body responsible for setting the strategic direction, policies, and priorities for NCAA Division II athletics nationwide. Her role on the NCAA Board of Governors provides her with direct input on decisions that affect all three NCAA divisions, including governance, finances, championships, and the overall student-athlete experience.
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The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a member-led nonprofit organization founded in 1906 that regulates intercollegiate athletics and supports more than 500,000 student-athletes across approximately 1,100 colleges and universities in Divisions I, II, and III. The NCAA’s mission focuses on ensuring fair and safe competition, promoting academic success, and supporting the well-being of student-athletes.
The NCAA governance structure includes a nine-member Board of Governors with overarching authority for the Association. Each division is represented by its own governing body, with the Division II Executive Board serving as the primary decision-making entity for Division II institutions.
Woodley’s leadership roles provide UTPB with a meaningful voice at the national level during a time of significant change in collegiate athletics. Her involvement offers the University increased access to national conversations, early insight into policy developments, and opportunities to advocate for institutions like UTPB that prioritize academic success, access, and competitive excellence for student-athletes.
“I believe athletics programs provide opportunities for our student-athletes to grow as leaders as they compete in their sport,” Dr. Woodley said in a news release. “Most importantly, these opportunities provide a pathway to an education that, for some, would otherwise be out of reach. With today’s complicated and changing landscape for college athletics, I am honored to have a leadership role that allows me to advocate for the student-athlete experience, particularly at Division II institutions like The University of Texas Permian Basin.”
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UTPB competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Lone Star Conference and continues to strengthen its athletics programs while maintaining a strong focus on academic achievement, affordability, and student success.
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