GORHAM, Maine –  University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host its first meeting of the 2022-23 academic year on Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 pm in the USM Ice Arena classroom.  Interested student-athletes are invited to attend and join one of the strongest student-organizations on campus.  SAAC representatives will have in-person meetings with a Zoom option available.
 
A student-led organization comprised of members from each of USM's 22 intercollegiate teams, Huskies' SAAC serves as a liaison between the student-athlete body and the Department of Athletics. Meeting on a bi-weekly basis, SAAC addresses issues relevant to student-athletes, works to improve the overall student-athlete experience, share the student-athlete experience with campus and local communities, and seeks to build a greater connection between all of the Huskies' teams and the greater Gorham Community through various outreach programs.
 
The 2022-23 Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is directed by its leadership:  President Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine/Phillips Academy), Women's Track & Field; Vice President Hannah Shields (Buckfield, Maine), Softball; Treasurer Rona Scott (Beverly, Mass.), Softball; and Maddie Fornaiser (South Burlington, Vermont), Women's Cross Country, Track & Field. Huskies' SAAC is led by Advisor and Women's Basketball Head Coach Samantha Norris.
 
"Southern Maine student-athletes are actively involved in all areas of the campus and surrounding communities," said Norris.  "Each year members of our student-athlete community are honored and recognized for their work beyond the competitive field – by University leadership, Residential Life, Academic Departments, as well as for their community service work.  In addition to providing student-athletes with a unifying voice and mission through advocacy for themselves and community initiatives, Huskies' SAAC has been a tremendous source of leadership development and skill building.  Through their involvement with SAAC, our student-athlete members learn that they have a powerful voice on campus, which can make a significant impact in the lives of others, as well as in the student-athlete experience." 
 
Nationally-recognized for its on-going and one-time community service projects and events, Huskies' SAAC has earned numerous awards since its creation in 1996, beginning with the USM's Outstanding Student Organization Award and the Josten's NADIIAA Community Service Merit Award. 
 
In 2019, USM SAAC earned the top honor from the National Association of Division III Athletic Directors (NADIIIAA) for its Unified Sports Program with the inaugural honor of the NADIIIAA Community Service Award for Special Olympics Activity. The Huskies' Unified Sports Program adheres to the Special Olympics model of promoting social inclusion through sport. USM SAAC achieves this through offering weekly "skills and drills" sessions and social activities with area Maine Special Olympic Athletes and Southern Maine student-athletes.
 
Honored by the University as well, SAAC was named the Student Organization of the Year for the 2021-2022 academic year, and Huskies' have previously received USM's Contribution to Community Service Award in 2017, 2016, and 2015.  And in 2018, SAAC's Kick the Stigma kickball tournament was named the University's event of the year, and received a national citation from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators in for its Mental Health Awareness events and programing.  Since the 2000-2001 academic year Huskies' SAAC has now been honored with the Josten's/NADIIIAA Community Service award on 14 separate occasions. 
 
During the 2020-2021 academic year faced with the challenges of COVID-19, social distancing and online learning environments, Huskies' SAAC sought out ways to bring the student-athlete body together in a positive manner.  Looking towards the future and in alignments with USM Athletics' Five Pillars (Academic Achievement, Athletic Excellence, Personal Development, Service to Community and Professional Growth), Huskies' SAAC partnered with USM's Career & Employment Hub to create "Husky Pack Chat" – a series of progressive informational sessions tailored specifically to student-athletes to help prepare them as they take their first steps in a job search or career exploration. These sessions ranged from resume writing and interview preparedness to alumni connection meetings in a variety of career paths and academic pursuits.
 
"Husky Pack Chats are a tremendous way for our student-athletes to begin their career search," said Associate Director of Athletics Kimberly Turner.  "Whether our student-athletes are freshman seeking their first summer internship, applying for their first part-time job, or our student-athletes who are preparing to transition into their full-time careers, the USM Career & Employment Hub does a great job preparing student-athletes in all facets of a job hunt from resume building, to how to market their experiences and transferable skills to potential employers."
 
Several key events and dates have been established for USM SAAC this year, including its first Pack Chat event and its Community Halloween Party.  On October 14 (4-6 pm) USM SAAC will help host Husky Pack Chat: Mocktail Social and Professional Networking – an event in which participating students will practice the art of networking as they engage with USM alumni representing business from the greater Portland area.
 
One of the most anticipated events of each academic year, the SAAC Community Halloween Party is set for Friday, October 21.  This fun, family event is free of charge and is for children up to eighth grade from the local communities. 
 
ABOUT THE OFFICERS:
A Health Science major, Slovenski is an NCAA National Champion in the javelin and an All-American in both the javelin and pole vault.  A two-sport student-athlete, Slovenski is also a member of the Huskies volleyball team.  In addition to her National Championship, Slovenski earned first team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors, and is just the second member of the women's track and field / cross country program to be honored as an Academic All-American, joining 2012 recipient Molly Carl among the list of honorees. Slovenski is also just the second woman to earn a National Championship, joining Peyton Dostie who won the indoor pentathlon in 2016.  Active in a variety of community service related activities, in 2022 Slovenski successfully raised funds and established a chapter of Strong Girls United on the USM Gorham campus. 
 
Shields, a Nursing major, is a 2021 National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Division III Scholar Athlete. A standout in the Huskies' outfield, Shields has been an All-LEC performer for the softball team.  As a student-athlete, Shields has been involved in a variety of leadership roles, including serving as SAAC President in 2021-22.  As a first-year, Shields was selected to take part in the NCAA's 2021 Student-Athlete Leadership Training (SALT) – a program designed to help student-athlete leaders develop their voice and style in leadership roles. 
 
A two-time first team All-Little East Conference selection as a member of the Huskies' softball team, Scott has been a leader on and off of the field.  A Biology Education major, Scott earned a spot on the 2021 and 2022 LEC All-Academic Team, and joined Shields as a participant in the NCAA's 2021 Student-Athlete Leadership Training program.  During the 2021-2022 academic year, Scott was one of just 40 students selected to participate in the NCAA Immersion Program in the fall, and in the spring, Scott traveled to NCAA headquarters as one of 200 student-athletes chosen to participate in the Career in Sport Forum.  Scott also serves as a liaison for SAAC with the Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (SADIE) Committee. 
 
A member of the Huskies' cross country and track & field programs, Fornaiser has been captain of the track & field team and has helped the Huskies' to a string of Little East Conference Championships in both indoor and outdoor track & field.  A nursing major, Fornaiser has earned Little East Conference All-Academic Team honors in the fall, winter and spring, and is a multiple-time winner of the Athletic Department's William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete award.  Fornaiser has also held an officers role in the Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (SADIE) student organization. 
 
Heading into her eighth season at the helm of the Huskies' women's basketball program, Norris earned the University's Outstanding Student Organization Advisor award in 2019 and 2020 and was presented with the University's President's Award for Community Engagement in 2017. Named to the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 list in 2018, and the Coach and Athletic Director Magazine Sports 40 Under 40 in 2019, Norris has recognized for her efforts in community service and classroom engagement in 2018 with the Donald Harward Award for Faculty Service Learning.  Norris has her Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith College, and earned her undergraduate degree in Administrative Science from Colby where she was a captain of the women's basketball team. 
 

2022-2023 USM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Officers
President:	Sophia Slovenski, Women's Track & Field
Vice President:	Hannah Shields, Softball
Secretary:	Maddie Fornaiser, Women's Cross Country, Track & Field
Treasurer:	Rona Scott, Softball

 

Awards and Honors
2000-2001	USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2002-2003	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2003	USM Outstanding Student Organization Award
2003-2004	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2004-2005	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2005-2006	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2006-2007	USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit
2008	USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award
2009	USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award
2010-2011	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (Array of Projects Category)
2012-2013	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (On-going Project Category)
2013-2014	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (On-going Project Category)
2015	USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award
2016	USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award
2017	USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award
2018	USM Event of the Year Award
2018	Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (One-Time Project Category).
2019	NADIIIAA Community Service Award Winner (Special Olympics Activity Category)
2019	NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit (Array of Projects Category)
2022	USM Outstanding Student Organization Award