JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Last year, Danielle Beam, was promoted to the position of Associate Director of Athletics for Student Development and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at New Jersey City University. Beam, now in her ninth overall year at NJCU during the 2019-20 campaign, has served in a multitude of roles since coming to the university in 2011. 
 
Now, as associate director of athletics, Beam, a member of the department's senior leadership team, oversees The Rising Knight Institute (RKI). Launched in Fall, 2018, RKI supports the holistic growth of each student-athlete's intellectual development, academic excellence, social responsibility and self-empowerment, focusing on five pillars of success: academics, personal enrichment, leadership, community outreach and career preparation. 
 
Among the key initiatives for RKI in its first year of existence have been organizing National Girls and Women in Sports Day, NJCU's Athletics Career Fair, NJCU Athletics Leadership Symposium and the NJCU Student-Athlete Advisory Leadership Retreat. Additionally, it has strengthened NJCU's community outreach, including partnerships with Soles4Souls, JCFamilies and Embrace Kids. The program will also concentrate on emotional Intelligence and sensitivity training for student-athletes.
 
"We are extremely lucky to have the support and empowerment of Shawn Tucker [Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics] who values student-development and providing our students with as much enrichment as possible," said Beam. "We have been able to introduce several key initiatives because of this support and the support of President Sue Henderson and Jason Kroll [Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer], who both share in Shawn's vision for student-athlete development."

During this time, Beam has been the advisor for NJCU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and in addition to overseeing the student leadership committee, provides oversight for many of NJCU's community outreach initiatives. The partnerships with Soles4Souls will culminate this spring with a service trip to Guatemala.
 
"Our goals for the future of RKI include increasing participation from 80 percent to 95 percent of the student-athlete population while improving the athletics cumulative GPA from 2.9 to 3.1. One of our goals that is expanding our international service learning trip from 10 to 25 students. By year five of the program, we strive to be nationally recognized for student-athlete academic and service learning accomplishments. We will have established an RKI Alumni base that is committed to giving their time and resources to the next generation of RKI students."
 
Beam has successfully combined athletics and academics as she has developed as an athletics administrator. The 30-year-old is pursuing a doctorate in education (Ed. D) with a focus in higher education leadership from Saint Peter's University, with an expected completion in 2020.
 

Beam completed a Master of Arts in Education from NJCU in 2015, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Ramapo in May 2011 where she was a four-year player and three-year starter for the Roadrunner women's basketball team at center from 2007-11. Beam was a two-time Honorable Mention Academic All-NJAC selection in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and  a three-time Dean's List honoree.
 
"I grew up hearing 'it takes a village to raise a child';  it is our family mantra of sorts. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and if your child can take the best parts of each person in their lives, they essentially will grow up to reflect the best parts of the village. More so, it reiterates the understanding that the more people who take on a responsibility to the child, the more support, love and growth will follow in that child's life. It is how I was raised, and I am so thankful for that."
 
Beam explained how the 'village' mantra carries over into the RKI program she is currently overseeing. 

"RKI provides an essential component to the proverbial collegiate experience. We focus on the concept of holistic development because the focus of bettering the entire person—not just the student nor the athlete—is our driving force. We are proud of our diverse student population and know that they are so much more than student-athletes. Yes, they must maintain academic integrity and yes, face a rigorous competition schedule. But they are also daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, employees. Many are a part of first generation, low socioeconomic, minority or ESL communities. Belonging to such a diverse variety of communities can be stressful, overwhelming and exhausting. Out of this diversity, we have created a family where students who can find themselves while supporting and encouraging their peers during arguably one of the most pivotal chapters in their lives." 

Beam added: "The concept behind the Rising Knight Institute is simple: the more exposure to a variety of people, lessons and skills, the more well-rounded and supported our students will be. It is in fact, providing each student-athlete with their own village. RKI creates an environment of trust, service, knowledge and love allowing all who participate to embrace their journey of intellectual, professional and emotional growth. RKI's family goes beyond the athletic department, to the institution, the City of Jersey City and is eager to grow its reach each year."
 
Beam is the lead administrator for NJCU's athletic academic advisement and along with Pete Vincent, serves as the primary advisor for over a hundred student athletes each year. Furthermore, Beam has chaired several search committees, including those for two new positions—Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations as well as head women's wrestling coach. She is currently the sport administrator for women's bowling, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's volleyball and women's wrestling. She is also a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Board of Athletic Administrators.  

KEY RKI INITIATIVES 2018-2020

NJCU National Girls and Women in Sports Day  NJCU Athletics Career Fair NJCU Athletics Leadership Symposium  NJCU Student-Athlete Advisory Leadership Retreat Clothing and shoe drives in partnership with Soles4Souls JC Kids Run JCFamilies partnership for community service Embrace Kids partnership for community service Academy 1 School partnership in Community Based Instruction (CBI) Read Across America Toy Drive benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County Emotional Intelligence and sensitivity training for student-athletes

Previously the assistant women's basketball coach for four seasons from 2011-15, she assumed a newly-created role in 2015-16 as Director of Camps and Community Recreation and was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics in June, 2016, overseeing NJCU's athletic advisement program.
 
In her role with Camps and Community Recreation, she developed and expanded NJCU's swimming programs, youth summer camps, youth specific camps/clinics, and adult weekend/night clinics on a year-round basis. She also handled all administrative responsibilities related to the camps program including creating policies and procedures, registration and consent forms and all payments.
 
In January 2016 she became NJCU's athletic advisement coordinator, assisting current, freshmen, transfer and prospective student athletes with academic questions, advisement, scheduling, long and short term goals, course sequencing, registration and career planning. 
 
"This year we will be taking our first international service learning trip with Soles4Souls to Guatemala with key student-athlete advisory leaders. We are committed to continue in our service and volunteer efforts in Jersey City, the surrounding communities and globally for years to come."
 
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on NJCU athletics, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. We Are Jersey City's Team.