Clarkson University's Vanessa Gagnon of the Golden Knights' National Champion Women's Hockey team has been nominated for the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The Woman of the Year award honors graduating female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

An assistant captain for Green and Gold, Gagnon earned numerous accolades during her career. This year, Gagnon was named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America® Division I Women's At-Large first team, the recipient of the Sarah Devens Award, named ECAC Hockey's Mandi Schwartz Student-Athlete of the Year and honored as an NCAA Elite 89 Award winner. The senior forward, who was also selected as Clarkson's Ed Sayer Award recipient, scored 18 goals, including five game-winners, and 15 assists along with boasting a +43 plus/minus rating to help the Golden Knights win the University's first-ever NCAA Championship title this past March.

Gagnon holds a 4.0 G.P.A. while pursuing her master's in business administration. Gagnon finished her undergraduate degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship during her junior year (2012-13) with a 3.95 G.P.A. and is currently one of only two students to maintain a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. in Clarkson's MBA program. She is also pursuing an additional certification in environmental management.

Of the 446 nominees for the Woman of the Year Award, 205 competed in Division I, 75 competed in Division II, and 166 competed in Division III athletics. Gagnon was one of four ice hockey players nominated for the award.

Each NCAA conference will select up to two women from the nominees to represent the conference. The Woman of the Year selection committee selects the top 30 honorees – 10 from each division – from the conference nominees.

From among those 30 candidates, the selection committee determines the top three in each division and announces the top nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will then vote from among the finalists to determine the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The top 30 honorees will be honored, and the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced, at the annual ceremony in Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 19.