HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — James Madison University is hosting a delegate of the Global Sport Mentoring Program, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and espnW, through October 15.  

Jelena Pavićević of Serbia arrived October 5 to network with JMU staff and students while creating a sport-based action plan that will address challenges facing women and girls in Serbia. 

According to a release, Pavićević has extensive experience in coaching, strength and conditioning, and sport education, with a strong focus on women’s basketball development. Since 2021, she has served as the strength and conditioning coach for Serbia’s women’s national basketball team. She is also a coordinator at the Women’s Sport Institute of Serbia. 

Her visit has included lunch with female coaches of JMU women’s teams and attendance at a JMU women’s basketball practice. She has also met with campus leaders and attended several classes, including an introductory coaching class and a course on the history and philosophy of physical education and sport. On October 14, she will attend a class on strength and conditioning concepts.