All roads lead to Indianapolis, and now there is a direct route from Malibu. 

Every year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) chooses 32 representatives from around the country– one student-athlete per conference– to serve on the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC). Collectively, these students account for more than 150,000 collegiate athletes nationwide. 

Junior Wave and cross country/track runner Eden Mittelsdorf has been elected to represent the West Coast Conference. This is the first elected student official for NCAA SAAC in Pepperdine's history. Having a voice and understanding how decisions are made is crucial to leveraging the NCAA laws to aid both Pepperdine and the WCC, according to Mittelsdorf. 

"[The WCC] is definitely ahead of the game on hearing student-athlete voices," Mittelsdorf said. "I want to understand how legislation works at the national level and going from the top helps me understand what can be better advocated for." 

Beginning her term this summer, Mittelsdorf traveled to Spokane, Wash. for conference-wide meetings as well as Indianapolis, Ind. for national meetings with every conference in the country. Among her responsibilities, Mittelsdorf finds navigating the ever-changing landscape of what it means to be a student-athlete the most important. 

"We are trying to protect and enhance the identity of the student-athlete within the country," Mittelsdorf said. 

Through reviewing proposed NCAA legislation, actively engaging in what athletic programs look like with NCAA-affiliated schools, and ensuring compliance rules are up-to-date, the SAAC has a hand at every step of a student-athlete's journey. 

As an active participant in Pepperdine's campus SAAC (called the Waves Leadership Council or WLC) among other student-led initiatives, Mittelsdorf stood out early as a candidate to represent the WCC according to Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Amanda Kurtz.

"When the nominations came out, I immediately thought of Eden," Kurtz said. "She's an exceptional student and a great representation of Pepperdine and the West Coast Conference." 

Majoring in public relations, on top of being a division one athlete, Mittelsdorf is actively involved in her sorority Delta Gamma as well as Pepperdine's chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a nonprofit that aims to raise awareness and destigmatize student-athletes' mental health struggles.  

Growth is an integral goal for the nationwide Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. According to the NCAA website, the group's mission is to enhance the overall experience of all student-athletes by protecting their rights, fostering a positive environment, and promoting engagement at all levels. 

"Having a growth mindset is so important," Mittelsdorf said. "It's so important to educate student-athletes on what is going on within the NCAA." 

Through her previous involvement with mental health initiatives on campus as well as her active participation with the Waves Leadership Council, Mittelsdorf is excited for what is to come and what she can bring to campus in order to compete with purpose.

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For the next two years, Mittelsdorf will serve as the conference's voice in the NCAA, advocating and protecting her fellow student-athletes amongst ongoing change. 

"I feel so honored to be able to have a voice," Mittelsdorf said. "I just love being a student athlete, especially at Pepperdine."