The Integrated Ecosystem
01
Fundraising and Revenue Strategy
Including the “5-5-5-1” membership drive
02
Marketing and Digital Presence
OCP Global Access Initiative
03
National Research
Motivation, academic success, collective bargaining
04
Strategic Events
NCAA Final Four, Allen Sack National Symposium, Black Student-Athlete Summit
The CKA Virtual Internship Program (CKA VIP)
The CKA Virtual Internship Program (CKA VIP), founded by Dr. Keith Adams, is a specialized professional incubator designed to bridge the "Resume Gap" faced by elite student-athletes. Recognizing that the demands of high-level athletics often prevent students from pursuing traditional internships, the CKA VIP provides an asynchronous, "grace-based" environment that allows athletes to build executive-level portfolios without compromising their athletic commitments.
The program operates on the philosophy that athletes do not need to "find more time," but rather must be taught to "maximize the time they already have."
Benefits
Executive portfolio development using the Beyond the Scholarship™ framework
Skills applied to business functions
Fully asynchronous format
Mentorship and professional branding
Networking with decision-makers in collegiate athletics
The "Stay Ready" Philosophy
Beyond task execution, the CKA VIP instills a professional mindset essential for career longevity. The program emphasizes that professional success is built on:
"Search firms do not just place people into dream jobs—we identify people who have positioned themselves to be ready when opportunities appear."
By focusing on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to solve complex problems, the CKA VIP ensures that participants are not just prepared for their next job, but are equipped to build a sustainable, impactful career.
Mentorship from a Hall of Fame Perspective
Dr. Keith Adams
A professional educator with over 30 years of experience as a coach, Athletic Director, and Founder. Dr. Adams understands "Time Poverty" because he lived it. His "Beyond the Scholarship" framework ensures athletes leave with a high-level executive portfolio, not just a degree.
Roland E. Hairston III (Project Manager)
A University of Washington graduate leader who brings an executive mindset to the lived experience of the modern student-athlete, serving as the bridge between theory and execution.
MEET THE 2026–2027 CKA VIP TEAM
Our Virtual Internship Program (VIP) is a 100% asynchronous professional incubator combating Time Poverty — equipping elite student-athletes with executive-level portfolios without compromising their athletic commitments.
Roland E. Hairston III
Project Manager
University of Washington — executive mindset, bridge between theory and execution
Allison Carolan
Asst. Project Manager
Former college lacrosse player; hands-on leadership, professional development
Sydney Seabrooks
VIP Intern
UNC-Chapel Hill, All-American Gymnastics — project ownership, career-ready skills
Dagny Johnson
VIP Intern
UNC, All-American Fencing — transferable athletic skills in professional contexts
Theadora Rabman
VIP Intern
UNC Women's Tennis — mission-driven; athletes thrive, not just survive
Phoenix Williams
VIP Intern
Mount Saint Mary’s (MD), Baseball, Incoming cohort member
Kayla Ferguson
VIP Intern
Lincoln University (PA), Softball, incoming cohort member
Student-Athletes
Build an executive-level portfolio without compromising your athletic commitments
For Institutions
Bring the Un-Internship Series to your conference
