NewEd 13-1.indd - College of Education - Michigan State University

ALUMNIsional athletes presented new challenges.But she was well prepared,thanks to her educational experiencesat MSU—which included working asa graduate assistant for now PresidentLou Anna K. Simon—and the facultyfrom the College of Education whocontinue to inspire her today.“I knew I had to create somethinginnovative in terms of continuingright niche to teach her non-traditional,high-profile pupils.“The global reputation of MSUrings true for all walks of life,” 1 shesaid. “When you say MSU, it’s a bigdeal.”And that’s why Hilliard is so proudof her Spartan spirit.“I love my school. It was one of thebest experiences in my life,” she said.confidence in her talent for much ofher success.“The relationships I had within theCollege of Education made the experi­ence that much more rich,” Hilliardsaid. “I would encourage other alumnito maximize their relationships withpeople in the College of Education.Really get to know people. The peoplewithin the college were instrumentalin my career.”“I am an example of how you can take a return. Today, Hilliard credits theirdegree in education and do somethingnon-traditional . . . I’m an educator whohas a passion for sports.”education,” Hilliard said. And she did.Hilliard created professionaldevelopment courses that equippedthe NBA’s development league playerswith essential skills such as communication,negotiation, goal setting andbudgeting.She explained that while most athleteshave an undergraduate degree,many have never experienced onlinelearning. So Hilliard developed—among other programs—the MichiganState University Business CommunicationSkills Certificate Program incollaboration with MSU. The six-weekonline program provides athletes withskills they can use in their personaland professional lives.After working two years with theNBA’s development league, Hilliardbegan working with NBA players. Sheis the life-skills educator for playerson eight professional basketball teams,which include the Detroit Pistons andthe Chicago Bulls.“We help develop people, highlyvisible people, who have the ability tomake an impact on society,” Hilliardsaid. “What we do is the same thinguniversities do—like MSU’s Clara BellSmith Center. We add value to experiencesfor athletes.”The athlete in her understands theimportance of perfecting the skillsof life in addition to the skills of thegame. And the educator in her understandsthe importance of finding the“It’s meant everything to my career.”Hilliard hopes her career is aninspiration to other women like her,who have broken through the glassceiling. The sports industry is dominatedby males, so she’s especiallyproud of her accomplishments.“I am an example of how you cantake a degree in education and dosomething non-traditional,” Hilliardsaid. “I have mentored a lot of youngpeople and I tell them I’m a nontraditionalperson. But I’m an educatorwho has a passion for sports. Ihave found a way to do what I lovewith athletes.”The road to her dream job hasbeen influenced by many mentors atMSU. While studying for her Ph.D.,Hilliard enjoyed a five-year hiatus,during which time faculty maintainedcontact, encouraging her toJANICE HILLIARD, PH.D.title: Senior Director, Player Development, National Basketball Associationeducation: B.S., Health and Physical Education, University of Houston;M.A., Urban Counseling, MSU; Ph.D., Educational Administration, MSUfall/winter 200851