Shippensburg University alumnae Emily Parkins '12 and Erin Varley '13 and current senior Brynn Seidenstricker have earned NCAA Postgraduate Internships as part of a prestigious one-year program that provides on-the-job learning experiences for college graduates interested in pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics administration.

Only 26 individuals are selected for the internships out of the thousands of applications spanning NCAA Divisions I, II and III. The internships are based at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.

Parkins earned her bachelor's degree in general management while obtaining a minor in Spanish . She plans to graduate in May with a master's degree in sport management from Millersville University, where she has been a graduate assistant for the last two years. Among her many roles at Millersville include work with Compliance Assistant software and game administration responsibilities.

At Shippensburg, Parkins was active with the athletic department. Her responsibilities included game management, creating operating budget templates, data analysis and assisting with compliance software entry. She was also a member and vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was a Make-A-Wish Committee chair. A Dean's List student, Parkins was an NFCA Scholar-Athlete and PSAC Scholar-Athlete.

Varley is the graduate assistant in the SU athletics department while seeking her master of business administration. She plans to graduate this fall. As both an undergraduate and a graduate, Varley has been an integral member of the athletics department, serving in a variety of game management and administrative roles while also specializing in promotional efforts and assisting with budget management.   

She graduated magna cum laude from Shippensburg as a double major in chemistry and exercise science while obtaining minors in both coaching and biology. Last summer, she was one of three recipients of the 2013 Administrator of Tomorrow award, selected by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA), which recognizes a student, intern or volunteer for their aspirations and preparations toward a career in intercollegiate athletics.

Seidenstricker plans to graduate this May with her bachelor of science in management, concentrating in human resource management, and a minor in coaching. She is interning with the athletic department, after previously serving as a student worker in the department, assisting with budgets, records maintenance and game management.

In addition to her work with the athletic department, Seidenstricker is in her second year as a national representative to the NCAA Division II SAAC. As the designated NCAA representative on behalf of the PSAC, Seidenstricker helps enhance the relationship between student-athletes and administrative personnel in athletics by gathering ideas and opinions from student-athletes around the league and bringing them to national conversation. The goal is to help fulfill SAAC's mission of enhancing the student-athlete experience and protecting student-athlete welfare.

Parkins was a pitcher and first baseman in softball, Varley was a point guard on the basketball team and Seidenstricker was a defender on the field hockey team, including the 2013 national championship team.

They expect to begin their internships June 16.