Each varsity team at Wellesley is offered the opportunity to have two student representatives serve on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) each year. SAAC acts as the voice of student-athletes. The committee aims to provide insight on the student-athlete experience while offering input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect the lives of student-athletes and works to enhance the student-athlete experience.
Mission
To promote effective communication between student-athletes and the Wellesley College athletics administration, to promote awareness of and vote on potential NCAA legislation and initiatives, to support the health and well being of student-athletes, to create on-campus awareness of athletics, to foster a strong athletics community, to serve both the college campus community and local communities through community service efforts, and to maintain a positive image of student-athletes on campus and within the community at large.
Basic Structure
Two representatives from each varsity team serve on SAAC alongside PERA faculty/staff liaison(s). The Executive Board is composed of the president, vice president and secretary. SAAC meets on a regular basis to discuss relevant topics and provide student-athlete feedback. Each team is responsible for selecting their representatives annually. Student-athletes interested in serving on SAAC should contact their coach and ask about their team's selection process.
SAAC exists at the institutional, conference and National level. For more information on DIII SAAC visit the NCAA webpage.
2025-26 Representatives
- Basketball: Mirella Funari '27, Ava Shane '28
- Crew: Jude Mohammad '26, Frances Dickinson '27
- Cross Country: Meg Dugan '26 - Vice President, Elise Lanahan '26
- Fencing: Julia Peeler '28, Daisy Wiseman '28
- Field Hockey: Ceci Miller '26 - Secretary, Claudia Summers '28
- Golf: Kaurvaki Bajpai '27, Sophia Lewis '27
- Lacrosse: Amelia Dupont '27, Aspen Caudill '28
- Soccer: Alisha Faheem '26 - President, Olivia Chow-Gillette '27
- Softball: Emeline Gaunce '26, Brynne Mellady '28
- Swimming & Diving: Lily Fender '28
- Tennis: Kriti Sarav '27, Nandini Patel '28
- Track & Field: Dova Koretsky '26, Sara Maeve Klingensmith '26
- Volleyball: Kaija Kunze-Hoeg '26, Noelle Winn '27
- Faculty/Staff Liaison: Katie Galiardi, Senior Associate Director of Athletics & PERA, Callie Lekas '10, Head Field Hockey Coach; PERA Assistant Professor of the Practice
Questions? Contact Katie Galiardi, Senior Associate Director of Athletics kh101@wellesley.edu or Callie Lekas '10, Head Field Hockey Coach; PERA Assistant Professor of the Practice clekas@wellesley.edu.
