BALTIMORE, Md. – Over the weekend of April 13-16, rising senior women's soccer captain Milan Pierre-Jerome attended the NCAA Leadership Forum in Baltimore, Md. She was one of two Atlantic-10 athletes present for the event, the other being Loyola Chicago men's soccer player Matthew Andrusko.

According to the Atlantic-10 press release, the event, which started in 1997, provides "invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes."

The leadership forum was for student athletes across all three divisions of the NCAA. Two student athletes were chosen from each conference to act as representatives. The weekend consisted of leadership activities, group discussions and listening from selected guest speakers.

The captain of the George Mason women's soccer team said she learned invaluable lessons about herself, the people she connected with and what it means to be a leader in today's world.

"It was an unforgettable experience," said Milan-Pierre Jerome. I was able to meet so many great leaders and build many connections with athletes from all over the country. The experience was something I will take with me for the rest of my life. I learned about my strengths as a leader and ways to continue to grow."

The forum also taught student athletes how they can apply what they learned onto the playing fields. Milan Pierre-Jerome believes she has lessons she can bring back to her own team.

"Going forward, I will take what I learned and apply it to my leadership role on Mason Soccer as well as my future career," added Pierre-Jerome.