INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University assistant director of athletic communications Jordan Modjeski was chosen as one of 30 individuals for the NCAA Division III Emerging Elite Program, which the NCAA and Division III Sports Information Directors Association (D3SIDA) announced in October. Modjeski will participate in a three-day professional event Dec. 6-8 at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.  

Launched in 2024, the Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program is a professional development initiative held each December at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis. Developed in partnership with D3SIDA and College Sports Communicators (CSC), the program supports the advancement of the next generation of athletics communication leaders in Division III. 

"This is an opportunity that I've been eager to be a part of, and I am excited to represent our conference and institution in Indianapolis," said Modjeski. "I'm looking forward to making new connections, learning from others in the industry and gaining practical tools that will help me continue to grow as a communicator and a leader." 

Participants engage in a series of interactive leadership sessions, team-management and collaboration exercises, and discussions on the evolving landscape of athletic communication. The experience also includes in-person networking, skill-building workshops and a complimentary one-time registration to the CSC Convention in June. 

Modjeski joined the Saint John's staff as the assistant director of athletic communications in June of 2025. She previously served as the assistant and graduate assistant sports information director at Gustavus Adolphus College for three years. Her role at SJU involves providing strategic enhancement to all facets of Saint John's athletic communications and student-athlete experience. 

"Jordan has played an instrumental role in elevating the Saint John's Athletics brand," said SJU director of athletic communications Ryan Klinkner '04. "Her creativity, attention to detail and relentless pursuit of excellence has pushed Saint John's forward on a national level. It is no surprise she was chosen as one of the NCAA's Emerging Elite, and it is a direct reflection of the standard she brings to our department every day." 

Modjeski earned College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 Award in 2024 and has twice been named a finalist for CSC's Photographer of the Year and Graphic Designer of the Year. She finished as the top photographer in Division III for the second-consecutive season in 2025-26 and was the Division III Graphic Designer of the Year in 2024-25. Modjeski received CSC's ChangeMaker Innovation Award alongside Klinkner in June, honoring innovative initiatives that advance the field of athletic communications. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of CSC's Young Professionals Committee and is a member of the Creative & Digital Design Contest and Academic All-America Committees. She has earned 55 awards from CSC throughout her four-year career, including 52 creative and writing honors.  

Saint John's was among the nation's leaders in the 2026 CSC Creative & Digital Design Contest with 25 awards. SJU trailed only Carthage (Wis.) for most honors in Division III and was one of 10 schools of any division to eclipse 20 total awards. Saint John's led Division III with awards in 11 different categories and was the only MIAC institution with double-digit accolades.  

Six individuals working in or with the SJU athletic communications office were recognized for a variety of photography, videography and graphic-design projects during the 2025-26 academic year. SJU claimed "Best in the Nation" honors twice and "Best in Division III" honors four times.