Water Safety / Water Competence / Swimming Lessons
​Working Group 

Co-chairs
(list of participants follows)
Sarah Szymanski received her BS Exercise Science/Aquatics from Ball State University.  She obtained her MBA with a focus in Strategic Leadership and is currently working through her DBA with a focus in Organizational Leadership.
Sarah began her career as an Aquatics Director at a YMCA.  From there, she went on to open and operate four new-build waterparks.  In 2012, Sarah joined the American Red Cross and currently serves as the Senior Director of Sales for the Aquatics curriculums nationwide.

​Sarah is a graduate of the American Red Cross’ LEAD program and has been a member of the President’s Club for the past three years. She has received numerous operational awards including Texas Public Pool Council’s Agency of the Year and the World Waterpark Association’s SWIM! Award for Employee Training Programs.  Most recently, Sarah received one of the Power Awards for 2020 from Aquatics International. 
Dr. Shaun M. Anderson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science at Norfolk State University located in Norfolk, Virginia USA.  In addition to his work at Norfolk State University, Dr. Anderson has also served as a consultant for numerous aquatics organizations such as the American Red Cross and USA Swimming where he has helped develop programs for under-served communities throughout the United States.

Prior to joining USA Swimming Dr. Anderson also championed numerous aquatic programs, swim lessons, water safety seminars, research projects, camps and clinics throughout the country as well as abroad including co-founding International Water Safety Day and Diversity in Aquatics Inc.  In recognition of his efforts Dr. Anderson became part of the United States permanent congressional record when he was recognized in congress for these accomplishments. 

​He received a B.S. in Kinesiology from Penn State University during which time he was a four-year member of the swim team and 3 year member of the track team.  Anderson continued his education at California State University, Long Beach where he received his MBA in Finance and Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

 
Water Safety / Water Competence / Swimming Lessons Working Group Participants

Sarah Szymanski - Co-chair
Senior Director, Aquatics Sales, American Red Cross
[email protected]
District of Columbia

Shaun Anderson - Co-chair
Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science, Norfolk State University; Co-founder, Diversity in Aquatics
[email protected]
Virginia
 
Maritza McClendon
Water Safety Advocate
Trailblaizer
Olympic Medalist
[email protected]
Georgia
 
Thaddeus Gamory
President, Swims Foundation, Swim Central-Broward County
[email protected]
Florida
 
Steven Langendorfer
Professor Emeritus, Developmental Kinesiology
Founding Editor, International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education
American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee
[email protected]
Ohio
 
Monica Lepore
Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology, West Chester University
Diversity in Aquatics – Adapted Aquatics Committee
[email protected]
Pennsylvania
 
Miriam Lynch
Executive Director, Diversity in Aquatics
[email protected]
Virginia
 
Alissa Magrum
Executive Director, Colin’s Hope
Advisor, National Drowning Prevention Alliance Advisory Council
[email protected]
Texas
 
Knolan Rawlins
Assistant Professor, Department of Public and Allied Health Sciences, Delaware State University
[email protected]
Delaware
 
Ken Roland
CEO, CPR-ETC, Inc
Board Member and Past Chair, Diversity in Aquatics
Vice President, Every Child a Swimmer, Inc.
[email protected]
Florida