Junior Nicole Kristof of the Robert Morris University rowing team was one of two student-athletes from across the country selected to represent the United States at the 2020 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Forum, which takes place August 12-16, 2020, in Budapest, Hungary.
 
Every two years, alternating with Universiade years, the FISU Forum brings together students, officials and other key partners involved in the University Sport Movement with FISU Member Associations. Combining academic sessions with cultural, educational and sporting activities, the FISU Forum is a powerful communication platform for various university sport communities.
 
"It's a huge honor as well as very humbling because of the opportunity to portray our culture in the best way that I can," Kristof said. "With the other attendees, I might be the first person from the United States that they've ever met, so it will be great to interact with them and learn their culture, as well. Being from a small town, going out of the country is something that I've always wanted to do. To have an opportunity like this and make it meaningful is awesome. Studying abroad isn't always something that a collegiate student-athlete gets the chance to do because of the dedication to our roles in school and with our team, but this is the next best thing."
 
An average of 200 participants from over 60 countries take part in the FISU Forum, which includes junior and senior university sports managers, representatives of international sports and non-sports federations. The FISU Forum has been held every two years since 1992, with the 2020 version the 15th since its inception.
 
"Nicole is a world-class example of everything that makes collegiate athletics and being a student-athlete so special," said RMU rowing head coach Nelle Stahura. "She has embraced the opportunity to compete at a higher level while excelling in the classroom and staying focused on her future career. The ability to balance and excel in all of these areas is what we hope each of our student-athletes is able to learn during their time at Robert Morris. For Nicole, that ability has given her the confidence to pursue even her most uncomfortable goals. I'm so proud of Nicole for pursuing this prestigious appointment and can't wait to watch her grow from the experience."
 
During the five days of the FISU Forum, topics focused on include one main theme and several sub-themes, each of which is moderated by a speaker specialized in the subject area. Workshops and seminars are held each day, and the FISU Forum is also a platform for National University Sports Federations (NUSF) to share and promote projects and programs that they have developed.
 
"Nicole has been a valued member of our external operations team in her role as an intern this year, and her selection to participate in the FISU Forum is something we're all extremely excited about," said RMU Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Chelsea Blakely. "Her passion, initiative and leadership in competition, in the classroom and as part of our staff has put her in a position for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She's an extremely well-rounded individual, and I know she'll make Robert Morris University and the surrounding community and region proud."
 
A two-time member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2019), Kristof, a native of New Kensington, Pa., has compiled a 3.98 cumulative grade point average (GPA) while majoring in both marketing and sport management. At the 2019 MAAC Championships, Kristof was a member of an RMU Second Varsity 8 boat that claimed bronze with a time of 7:26.521.
 
Kristof spent the 2019-20 season with the RMU Department of Athletics as a marketing and fan experience intern, assisting in social media campaigns, promotional schedules and in-game promotions for various home events. She also spent time as a first-year seminar mentor at Robert Morris as well as two years as the secretary of the RMU Nonprofit Leadership Association from 2017 to 2019.