University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLeaders Academy
The VOLeaders Academy was developed to cultivate student-athlete leaders through sport to create positive social change. By using their platform in sport, student-athletes admitted into the VOLeaders Academy learn how to be a positive force for their team, campus, and local and global communities. The program aims to inspire student-athletes to find ways to use their influence and passion for sport to enact change that transcends their athletic success.
Leadership and sport are two common languages throughout the world. The VOLeaders Academy uses the frameworks of servant leadership, transformational leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership and strengths-based leadership to develop each student-athlete into a committed and effective leader. The academy engages students in experiential and service-learning activities, both locally and abroad, that provide them with unique opportunities to learn, lead, and empower underserved populations through sport.
VOLeaders Academy Core Components:
“The chance to learn about yourself and your place in the world is rare when you’re a collegiate athlete because our lives can be hectic and unpredictable. Being a VOLeader gave me the opportunity to slow down and evaluate myself and the impact I can have in my community and abroad” – Andraya Carter, Lady Vol Basketball, Member of the Inaugural VOLeader cohort, current ESPN Analyst.
VOLeaders 12.0 (2026-2027)
Recognition for the VOLeaders Academy
In 2023, the National Association for Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) selected the VOLeaders Academy as the Model Practices Award recipient. The Model Practice Award recognizes a student-athlete development program or initiative that displays best practices and demonstrates program longevity and effectiveness.
After the first year of the VOLeaders Academy, in 2016, the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) selected the academy with the Gold Medal of Excellence. The NASPA Excellence Awards recognizes outstanding contributions of educational programs and innovative services that are transforming higher education. The Gold Medal is the Excellence Awards highest honor.
Leadership and sport are two common languages throughout the world. The VOLeaders Academy uses the frameworks of servant leadership, transformational leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership and strengths-based leadership to develop each student-athlete into a committed and effective leader. The academy engages students in experiential and service-learning activities, both locally and abroad, that provide them with unique opportunities to learn, lead, and empower underserved populations through sport.
VOLeaders Academy Core Components:
- Leadership Retreat - Fall retreat focused on individual and group development.
- Leadership in Sport Course - A 3-hour course that provides students with an understanding of their individual leadership styles and the practice of leadership in collegiate athletics, equipping them with the foundational skills necessary to lead their team, campus, and community. Key concepts include servant leadership, values-based leadership, authentic leadership, ethical leadership, 360-degree leadership, creating change, integrity, and developing team unity and trust.
- Personal & Socially Responsible Leadership Course - A three-hour service-learning course teaching leadership principles, professionalism, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication skills through sport-based service.
- International Service Immersion Experience - A ten-day cultural exchange providing applied leadership and service opportunities focused on community development and social change through sport. Destinations will vary each year.
- Past locations have included: 2016 - Brazil (site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games), 2017 - Vietnam, 2018 - Ecuador, 2019 - Rwanda, 2021 - Belize, 2022 - Rwanda, 2023 - Philippines, 2024 - South Africa & Botswana, 2025 - Brazil (10th anniversary trip), 2026 - Rwanda & Brazil.
“The chance to learn about yourself and your place in the world is rare when you’re a collegiate athlete because our lives can be hectic and unpredictable. Being a VOLeader gave me the opportunity to slow down and evaluate myself and the impact I can have in my community and abroad” – Andraya Carter, Lady Vol Basketball, Member of the Inaugural VOLeader cohort, current ESPN Analyst.
VOLeaders 12.0 (2026-2027)
| Jackson Estes | Baseball |
| Tyler Myatt | Baseball |
| Will Haas | Baseball |
| Cooper Ranvier | Football |
| David Sanders, Jr. | Football |
| Edwin Spillman | Football |
| Joakim Dodson | Football |
| Dewayne Brown II | M. Basketball |
| Troy Henderson | M. Basketball |
| Jackson Herrington | M. Golf |
| Anthony Laurito | M. Swimming |
| Gabe Nunziata | M. Swimming |
| Koby Bujak-Upton | M. Swimming |
| Mac Clark | M. Swimming |
| Jose Garcia | M. Tennis |
| Aidan Ifkovits | M. Track & Field |
| Andre Jackson II | M. Track & Field |
| Wesley Badenhorst | M. Track & Field |
| Frida Werner Foldager | Rowing |
| Olivia Tattersfield | Rowing |
| Sarah Shepherd | Rowing |
| Stevie Mabey | Rowing |
| Taryn Graves | Rowing |
| Cayden Norris | Soccer |
| Kameran Bluette | Soccer |
| Morgan Weaver | Soccer |
| Nyla Blue | Soccer |
| Elsa Morrison | Softball |
| Meredith Barnhart | Softball |
| Peyton Hardenburger | Softball |
| Chelsea Sutton | Volleyball |
| Jalyn Stout | Volleyball |
| Nia Hall | Volleyball |
| Raegan Burns | Volleyball |
| Avery Mills | W. Basketball |
| Jada Eads | W. Basketball |
| Tula Fawbush | W. Distance |
| Desharne Bent-Ashmeil | W. Diving |
| Emma Rhines | W. Diving |
| Madison Messimer | W. Golf |
| Sophie Christopher | W. Golf |
| Ella Jansen | W. Swimming |
| Emily Armen | W. Swimming |
| Francesca Mattioli | W. Tennis |
| Saray Yli-Piipari | W. Tennis |
| Maira Scott | W. Track & Field |
| Sydney Harris | W. Track & Field |
Recognition for the VOLeaders Academy
In 2023, the National Association for Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) selected the VOLeaders Academy as the Model Practices Award recipient. The Model Practice Award recognizes a student-athlete development program or initiative that displays best practices and demonstrates program longevity and effectiveness.
After the first year of the VOLeaders Academy, in 2016, the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) selected the academy with the Gold Medal of Excellence. The NASPA Excellence Awards recognizes outstanding contributions of educational programs and innovative services that are transforming higher education. The Gold Medal is the Excellence Awards highest honor.
