Oberlin, Ohio – Oberlin College running backs coach and director of football operations Roseanna Smith was selected as one of 45 women nationally to participate in the 2022 NFL Women's Forum March 14-15.

The program, part of the NFL's ongoing, league-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aims to connect female participants with leaders in professional football. From this pipeline, 23 NFL clubs hired past Forum participants and more than 200 opportunities have emerged for women in all levels of football since its inception in 2017.

"When this program started six years ago, I wrote down attending as a personal goal," Smith said. "I was honored to be selected this spring, and appreciate the opportunity to build my network through this experience. Even more inspirational was to see the true passion and commitment leaders across the spectrum of football have for growing our game. Football is for everyone."

The 2022 NFL Women's Forum included representatives from 29 teams participating in panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking activities with owners, executives, coaches, industry experts and hiring managers. Participants included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jane Skinner Goodell, as well as three club owners, eight head coaches and seven general managers.

Past participants of the forum include: Brown University Quarterbacks Coach Heather Marini, the first female positional coach in the history of the sport; Cleveland Browns Chief of Staff/Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson; San Francisco 49ers Pro Personnel Analyst Salli Clavelle, the NFL's first Black female scout; Washington Commanders Coordinator of Football Programs, Natalia Dorantes, the League's first Latina to serve in a chief of staff role; Washington Commanders Assistant Running Backs Coach Jennifer King, the League's first Black female coach; Tampa Bay Buccaneers Assistant Defensive Line Coach Lori Locust, the first female positional coach in the NFL; and Ashton Washington, the Chicago Bears' first female scout.

Smith is the second straight representative from Oberlin College to participate in the forum as former assistant coach Alex Hanna attended last year.

"Roseanna earned the right to be recognized on a national scale for what she has accomplished in the game of football," Oberlin College Head Football Coach Steve Opgenorth said. "Not only will the NFL Women's forum benefit her in continued professional development opportunities, it will positively impact Oberlin College football."

Learn more about the NFL Women's Forum here.