Shaina Dabbs was recognized for the Women in Sports (WINS) program, which she founded in 2018.
When Shaina Dabbs, associate professor of sport management, was announced as the 2024 Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award recipient in recognition of her work with the Women Influencers in Sports (WINS) program, she was stunned.
“While I am not usually a fan of surprises, this was one of the best I have ever received,” Dabbs says. “It is truly an honor to be recognized with the House Excellence in Mentoring Award. Mentoring is at the heart of my teaching philosophy and having that commitment acknowledged by the Elon community is incredibly meaningful and deeply rewarding.”
Dabbs, who is also chair of the Department of Sport Management, founded WINS in 2018 to provide intentional support for female students pursuing careers in the sports industry. Since then, the program has grown by over 900%, engaging students across a wide range of majors.
“Through WINS, I have had the privilege of working closely with students — facilitating a mentor-mentee program with alumni and offering consistent, personalized guidance to support their academic, professional and personal development,” she says.
While spearheaded by Dabbs, the program is powered by a diverse, passionate group of students who take full ownership of its mission.
“These incredible students lead events and initiatives, show up for each other and commit to their own growth while extending Elon’s values far beyond campus,” she says.
They also provide a voice for those often silenced or overlooked.
“Their dedication, accountability and drive have shaped WINS into what it is today,” she adds. “Their efforts continue to ensure that all women — not just in sport, but in leadership — have a seat at the table.”
Dabbs’ peers at Elon clearly recognize the impact of this work as well, having nominated her for the House Excellence in Mentoring Award without her knowing. Their support and the generosity of the Houses has furthered the WINS mission over the last year.
“The House Excellence in Mentoring Award created an incredible opportunity to further expand the WINS program, enhancing networking and professional development experiences for students,” she says.
Beyond WINS, the award has progressed Dabbs’ research on leadership — and the curriculum she uses to empower students as emerging leaders — and will be presented at two conferences this year.
In addition to her own research, Dabbs is also mentoring student researchers like Brynja Burton ’25. Over the past year, Burton has completed a research project exploring college head coaches and the effect of being fired or investigated for unfair and malicious reasons. Their work will be presented at the North American Society for Sport Management.
Dabbs has always committed herself to mentoring students like Burton. Luckily, some of the financial stressors associated with the research she is facilitating is alleviated thanks to the House Mentoring Award.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Steven and Patricia House for their generous investment in faculty through this initiative,” Dabbs says. “Their genuine commitment to mentoring — and the profound impact it has on both student and faculty experiences — speaks volumes and is deeply appreciated.”
Above all else, Dabbs believes in the value of mentorship.
“Mentoring provides a powerful opportunity to guide students in developing essential leadership skills and a strong sense of accountability,” she says. “Through consistent support, reflection and challenge, I aim to help students recognize their potential, take ownership of their actions, and grow into leaders who lead with integrity, confidence, and purpose.”
Inspired by the Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care,” Dabbs works to foster a culture of trust and high expectations. In turn, she creates a space where students learn not only to lead others, but also to lead themselves.
“This mindset is at the heart of my approach because authentic care is what builds the trust and connection needed for meaningful mentoring relationships,” she says.
And while her mentoring centers on students, the impact these experiences have had on Dabbs is undeniable. This approach is evident in Maddy Baird ’27, who is beginning a leadership role in WINS alongside Dabbs in the fall.
“I truly believe that without Dr. Dabbs investing in me, I would be the same student and person who walked into college, but because she cares, I am a leader, I am confident and I am committed to leaving this place better than I found it,” Baird says. “I am so excited to see what my final two years of college have in store and am grateful that I have Dr. Dabbs on my side, encouraging me, pushing me and cheering me on!”
“She can determine quickly what each individual needs to do to gain confidence as a leader, especially when trying new things,” Burton says. “She inspires many to be ‘go-getters’ and innovators as she exemplifies these traits herself.”
Students like Baird and Burton continue motivating Dabbs’ commitment to mentorship.
“It is hard to fully capture how deeply mentoring fulfills me on a personal level,” says Dabbs. “It has taught me the value of showing up with authenticity, leading with integrity, and investing in others — not for recognition, but to support their growth. I truly believe that when we take the time to uplift someone else, we are not only impacting their life today—we are contributing to a stronger, brighter future for all.”
About the Steven and Patricia House Award
The House Excellence in Mentoring Award was endowed in 2020 by Steven House, provost emeritus and former executive vice president, and his wife, Patricia House. Every year, the award honors faculty and staff excelling in student mentoring. The award is in acknowledgement of Elon’s national recognition as a leader in engaged, experiential learning.
You can learn more about the award here.
The recipient for the 2025-26 academic year will be announced on May 13.