From Passion to Purpose: How Providence College’s MS in Sports Administration Empowers Students to Lead in Their Communities
At the Providence College School of Business, graduate education is about more than advancing a career; it’s about empowering students to make a meaningful impact. For Julia Fagundes ‘27G, a student in the Master of Science in Sports Administration (MSSA) program, that impact starts right in her local running community.
Balancing a full-time job with graduate studies, Julia represents a growing segment of students seeking a graduate experience that is both flexible and deeply connected to their personal passions. The MSSA program has offered her exactly that: a pathway to translate her love of running into leadership, community engagement, and real-world impact.
A Program Built for Passion
When Julia began exploring graduate school options, she initially considered more traditional pathways. “I was looking at programs like the MBA, but it felt broad,” she explained. “When I learned about the sports administration program, I liked how it aligned with the business school but was specific to the sports industry.”
Rather than stepping away from her interests, Julia found a program that reinforced them. The fully online format also made it possible to pursue her degree while working full time, a key advantage for professionals balancing career and education.
Providence College’s MSSA program offers a blend of accessibility and focus. Rooted in business fundamentals but tailored to the dynamics of sports, the program equips students with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex and competitive industry.
Turning Classroom Learning into Community Impact
For Fagundes, the value of the program goes far beyond theory. As an active member of Rhode Island’s running community, she entered the program with a clear vision: to better understand how to grow and sustain the sport she loves.
“I wanted a more administrative perspective,” she said. “I’m an athlete, but I was looking for a way to help my sport grow in the community.”
That goal has shaped her experience from day one. Through coursework and experiential learning, Julia has been able to apply classroom concepts directly to her involvement with local running clubs and race events. From volunteering at races to leading event planning efforts, she is actively bridging the gap between academics and practice.
“I’ve really appreciated that the classes align with what I’m doing outside of work,” she noted. “Being able to apply what I’m learning in real time has been super important.”
This emphasis on experiential learning is a defining element of the MSSA program. Students in the program are encouraged, and expected, to engage with real-world projects, ensuring that their education translates into tangible skills and outcomes.
Learning from Experts, Building Confidence
A hallmark of the PC MSSA program is its faculty, who bring extensive industry experience into the classroom. For Julia, one course in particular stood out: risk management and contract negotiation with Professor Gil Fried.
The class provided practical insights that she immediately applied to her work in race planning and sponsorship management. When presented with a sponsorship agreement from Zappos to support her running club, she leaned on what she learned in that class, and the guidance she received from her professor, to navigate the process.
After reviewing the agreement and gaining a deeper understanding of contract language, she successfully negotiated the sponsorship terms. “Because of what I learned in Professor Fried’s course I was able to help unlock the support of Zappos, and because of that partnership, we have been able to invest even more back into the running community through team support, events, and opportunities for athletes.”
Moments like this highlight how the MSSA program builds not only knowledge, but confidence. By connecting academic content to real-world challenges, students gain the skills to lead.
Relationships That Define the Experience
While coursework plays a critical role, Julia points to relationships as one of the most impactful aspects of her experience in the MSSA program.
Faculty and program leadership are deeply engaged in student success. She described ongoing support from the program’s faculty director Nico Lorgnier, noting his openness to feedback and commitment to improving the student experience. “He checks in and really cares about how the program is working for us,” she said.
The program also offers a mentorship component. Each student is paired with an industry professional, creating opportunities for networking and career exploration. Julia’s mentor, a leader within the Rhode Island sports industry, has provided guidance and support, including meeting with her at a Rhode Island FC match and helping expand her professional network.
Leading with Community at the Center
As Fagundes looks ahead, her goals remain grounded in community. While a future career in sports administration is possible, her immediate focus is on using what she’s learned to elevate the running community that has shaped her life.
“Running is my life outside of work. Now I can be a leader, managing events, negotiating contracts, and contribute in a bigger way.”
Her journey illustrates a defining characteristic of the MSSA program: it meets students where they are and helps them grow in the direction that matters most to them. Whether that leads to a career pivot or a deeper engagement with personal passions, the outcome is the same, graduates are empowered and prepared to make an impact.
A Program That Grows with Its Students
Reflecting on her experience, Julia offers simple but powerful advice for prospective students: “The experience is what you make of it. Take advantage of everything the program offers and use what you’re learning.”
At Providence College, that philosophy is embedded in the MSSA program itself. By combining flexibility, real-world application, and meaningful relationships, the program provides more than an education; it offers a platform for transformation.
For students like Julia, that transformation is already underway—one race, one relationship, and one community at a time.
