When Liz Thompson ’09 (International Relations, French Language and Literature) gives a presentation, her heart rate doesn’t skyrocket. Her hands don’t tremble. She doesn’t get “butterflies” in her stomach. She could do this in her sleep.
Thompson leads the NCAA’s international outreach, presenting to audiences worldwide. Her current confidence stands in sharp contrast to her high school days, when she dreaded public speaking classes and threw up before every swim meet.
“Lean into what you think is uncomfortable because you might be really surprised by what you gain from it,” said Thompson.
When asked if they could have any superpower, most kids would choose the ability to fly or super speed. But for Thompson, it was to speak any language. As a military brat, Thompson moved frequently, traveling across the country and overseas as her father transferred from base to base.
Her family had strong political ties, thanks in part to her great-aunt’s nearly thirty-year career in the Indiana governor’s office. Infatuated with the Kennedy family, Thompson especially admired Jacqueline Kennedy’s ability to speak multiple languages, a skill that strengthened her role as First Lady and proved essential during diplomatic trips overseas with President John F. Kennedy.
Inspired by the polyglot’s French connection, Thompson chose to study French alongside her International Relations major. UIndy’s globally-minded campus spoke to her. She fondly remembers the University’s annual Celebration of Flags, modeled after the Olympic opening ceremony, honoring more than 80 countries with a procession of flag bearers at Smith Mall.
Staying at Warren Hall, her fellow resident advisor was from Bosnia. UIndy offered diverse courses such as Arabic cultures and societies. Her professor, the late Dr. Michelle Stoneburner, even hosted dinners for International Relations students, introducing them to a variety of foods and cultures. “There was just a wealth of culture at my fingertips,” added Thompson.
She recalled when Dr. Milind Thakar assigned the class to read three articles every day from sources outside the U.S. That habit remains valuable in her work today, as she stays informed about current affairs by reading France’s leading newspaper, Le Monde, as well as Al Jazeera, the BBC, and CNN.
“It’s important not to be held by some of the parameters within our own country,” Thompson mentioned. “We should always have a mindset as individuals to come with a clear and culturally sound perspective.”
Working from the NCAA’s Eligibility Center in Indianapolis, Thompson is tasked with “tackling the whole world” alongside fellow UIndy alumnus, Ivorye Long ’06 (MS in Sport Management). “Her leadership, dedication, and perspective make our work stronger every day,” said Thompson. “Our experiences at UIndy shaped us not only as professionals, but as people—instilling in us a commitment to collaboration, lifelong learning, and service to others.”
As international recruiting rapidly expands across college athletics, Thompson serves as a key guide for international students navigating the process of becoming an NCAA student-athlete.
She even helped develop the International Student-Athlete Handbook, which serves as a “cultural one-stop shop.” It covers a range of topics, including how to address professors and friends, personal hygiene, timeliness, taxes, currency, U.S. laws, and holidays.
International students are often confused about why the NCAA doesn’t have a relegation system, like in the Premier League, where teams are moved between leagues based on their performance. That’s why Thompson emphasizes that the NCAA’s division structure (I, II and III) is instead based on school size, athletic budget, and scholarship availability.
Since she first started in 2009, Thompson has seen the NCAA grow from certifying fewer than 1,000 international student-athletes each year to now certifying more than 12,000 annually. Social media has transformed recruiting, allowing coaches to discover athletes across the globe.
“I can’t stress enough how fast this world is growing,” said Thompson. “It’s becoming smaller, and the need for our specialties in international relations is becoming more and more prevalent. Everyone is trying to reach the whole world now.”
Her global perspective extends into her personal life as well. Her fiancé holds both Canadian and British citizenship. The couple plans to have their wedding in England.
Yet, Thompson says her motivation is rooted at home, where her daughter inspires her to lead by example. “Everything I do, both personally and professionally, is shaped by the example I hope to set for her. I want her to see that women belong in leadership, that their voices matter, and that they can build careers that create impact far beyond themselves. If she grows up believing there are no limits to what she can achieve, then I know I’ve succeeded.”
If it were up to Thompson, she would bounce from location to location, much like she did growing up in a military family. As remote work expands, she envisions a future of becoming a digital nomad, working and living in eight different countries.
Her travel preferences evolve as she ages. The vibrant life of London suited her when she was younger; now she adores the flowers and tulips of Amsterdam. While the couple hasn’t found a permanent place to live, her favorite travel destination is the one she hasn’t visited yet.
Embracing the unknown has been the driver of her life. Whether it’s exploring new countries, learning new languages, or even speaking in front of a large crowd, she leans into the uncomfortable, and she’s gained a lot from it.