National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics
Model Practices/Interventions Information
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) have collaborated to gather information concerning strategic actions that have been or will be implemented in relation to campus student-athlete support unit programs and services. Scroll down to see what types of practices are taking place at other institutions.
Career Action Plan Program (University of Albany)
Individual Study Plan Web Report (University of Albany)
Progress Reports (University of Albany)
Communication with Professors (Elon University)
Connection with Freshmen (Gonzaga University)Establishing Relationship/Communication with Faculty (Gonzaga University)
Academic Counseling Services (Long Beach State University)
Encouraging Graduation of Former Student-Athletes (Long Beach State University)
Academic Support Services (Purdue University)
Academic Progress (Seton Hall University)
Career Action Plan Program (The University of Albany)
College freshmen often do not have an idea which major they want to study or what they want to do after college is over. In an effort to help those who were undecided, this program was established.
The program allowed student-athletes who were undecided or thinking about changing their majors to meet with various faculty and administrative members to discuss their options. The program was set up as a workshop where professors from several disciplines were on hand to discuss what their field was like, the typical career path of someone in that field (i.e., graduate school, certifications needed, etc.) and the career options associated with specific majors. Student-athletes also received career advice such as what to look for in an employer and how and when to start searching. Following the workshop, student-athletes then had a chance to mingle with the presenters over a finger-food style dinner. The program was a great success with many student-athletes developing clearer insight into academic areas they wanted to pursue. One of the faculty members was a former head-hunter and spoke about the kind of skills student-athletes needed to develop, while in college, to make them more presentable to graduate schools and potential employers.
One person organized the program and the panel of presenters could be any size. The only budgetary issue for this program was the cost of food. A suggestion was that holding multiple workshops so that everyone has a chance to attend would work well. Student-athletes who had not yet declared a major were required to attend; however, the program was open to all.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Individual Study Plan Web Report (The University of Albany)
In order to supplement individual student-athlete meetings, we use a Web site that allows student-athletes to report their grades for various classes at any time. The Web site is for those who cannot make a scheduled meeting, are not required to meet (but who we want to keep an eye on) or others as directed (i.e., coach's request). The information is then sent to our staff via e-mail, which provides us with a printable report of the student-athletes' responses.
This program does not require many resources; just someone who knows how to write the Web page. Of course, the biggest challenge is getting the student-athletes to actually use it - some are good about it, others are not. We would like to develop more of a Web site for our unit so the student-athletes have it as a resource and are more likely to visit the site. This would help with the responses. We are also working on developing a course for new student-athletes and this site could be implemented in course assignments whereby student-athletes are required to submit responses for a grade as a weekly (or biweekly) assignment.
Click here: report webpage
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Progress Reports (The Universityof Albany)
One form of progress reporting the university used involves assessments completed by the student-athletes. This form is divided into two sections. First, the student-athletes complete their own assessment of their academic progress in their courses. For example, they write down information such as how many classes they missed, what their grades are and the estimated grade. Next, the form is sent to the professors, who complete all assessments of the student-athletes. After receiving the progress reports, we then examine them for any discrepancies between the two.
This method was developed after discovering that many student-athletes would say everything was fine in their classes and we would receive a progress report indicating otherwise. By using this method, we put the onus on the student-athlete to know where they stand in their courses. From time to time, we have also had the student-athletes hand deliver their progress reports to their professors in an effort to make sure they are speaking with their professors. The professors return the forms to our office via campus mail. Copies are then provided to the coaches.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Communication with Professors (Coffee Talks) (Elon University)
Several times throughout the academic year, the athletics department invites selected academic departments to chat over coffee and a light breakfast. These "Coffee Talks" allow professors, coaches, and administrators to meet each other in a casual atmosphere. Consequently, communication between faculty, the assistant director for academic progress and coaches has increased and everyone is mutually supportive.
Coffee Talks were first introduced during the fall of 2004 and continue today. The assistant director for academic progress organizes the event by sending invitations, e-mails, and arranging for catering. Each Coffee Talk costs approximately $150 through the school's catering office.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution: Elon University; Contact Person: Barbara G. Boyette; E-mail: bboyette@elon.edu; NCAA Division: DI-AA; Staff Size: Small (1-2 full-time); Number of Sports: 16; Total Student-Athlete Population: 319; Model Practice Category: Academic Advising
Connection with Freshmen (Gonzaga University)
This program began at
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Establishing Relationship/Communication with Faculty (Gonzaga University)
One of the most difficult tasks the academic coordinator felt was introducing himself to the faculty as a whole. To accomplish this he wrote a biography and gave it to the faculty athletics representative to send out on the faculty list serve. This action, coupled with a proactive approach of getting to know faculty and the university administration, has enabled him to build a reputation of integrity and respect among a good portion of the faculty population. Another step he requested from the athletics department was that coaches would no longer be allowed to contact faculty about a student's academic progress. A couple of hiccups occurred in the first year, but now most of the coaching staffs have agreed with the policy.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution: Gonzaga University; Contact Person: Mike Miller; E-mail: miller@athletics.gonzaga.edu; NCAA Division: DI-AAA; Staff Size: Small (1-2 full-time); Number of Sports: 14; Total Student-Athlete Population: 280; Model Practice Category: Advising
Academic Counseling Services (Long Beach State University)
The Center for Student-Athlete Services (CSAS) at Long Beach State was reformed in 1995 and currently consists of (1) Director, (1) Associate Director, (4) Professional Academic Counselors, (1) Learning Strategist, (1) Office Manager, and multiple student-assistants including Degree Completion student-athletes. CSAS is an academic support unit in the Academic Affairs division that provides the services outlined below.
General Academic Counseling Tasks
1. Evaluate past academic progress (courses and grades) and NCAA eligibility.
2. Evaluate current courses/success in courses and NCAA eligibility.
3. Project and recommend future academic requirements and NCAA eligibility.
4. Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) requirement.
5. Decision on choices of majors and future career paths.
6. Graduation requirements
7. Work with faculty department advisors.
8. Written academic reports to coaching staffs.
9. Academic probation status.
10. Major requirements.
11. General education requirements
12. Electives
13. Faculty grade checks process.
14. NCAA academic requirements.
15. Summer school advising.
16. Financial monitoring for registration.
17. Orientation/SOAR
18. Referrals for academic assistance, tutoring and study skills specialist:
Freshmen Student-Athletes Academic Counseling Tasks
1. Entry level tests: EPT and ELM.
2. Medical inoculations.
3. Pre-Bac courses for freshmen.
4. University 100 for freshmen.
5. GE Foundation courses for freshmen.
Transfer Student-Athlete Academic Counseling Tasks
1. Measles inoculation
2. Declaring major and determining eligibility
Special Student-Athlete Population Tasks
1. International student-athletes.
2. Partial qualifiers: Graduation requirements must be completed within four years in order to return for fifth year of eligibility.
3. Non qualifiers: Graduation requirements must be completed within four years in order to return for fifth year of eligibility.
4. Special admits.
5. Student-Athletes with learning disabilities
To find out more information concerning this program, use the following contact information:
Institution:
Encouraging Graduation of Former Student-Athletes (Long Beach State University)
The Center for Student-Athlete Services (CSAS) staff works with former student-athletes. There are student-athletes who, because of financial issues or injuries, can no longer be competitive and, therefore, leave the team. If the student has been on the team for at least two years, CSAS will continue to academically assist the student until completion of the degree. Moreover, many former student-athletes who play in professional sports come back to finish their degrees. It is not unusual for CSAS to be working with professional baseball, basketball and volleyball players of national stature each year. Besides the 380 currently competing athletes, CSAS may be academically assisting up to 450 students including former student-athletes, trainers and coaches each year.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Academic Support Services (Purdue University)
We currently have a comprehensive academic monitoring program in our football academic support office. We have a full-time advisor and a full-time graduate assistant devoted to football. We meet weekly with over 50 football student-athletes and record the meeting notes to include in a weekly Friday academic meeting with the entire football coaching staff.
We offer the full range of academic support services to all of our student-athletes including:
Learning Services.
*(Only offered for football)
Technology
*(Only offered for football)
Campus Resources
We provide assistance in helping student-athletes find campus resources at Purdue, including:
Academic Testing
Life Skills Program
The NCAA Life Skills Program strives to support the student-athlete in their commitments to academics, athletics, personal development, career development, and community service.
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
Academic Progress (
The office was created nearly twenty years ago and it now consists of three full-time advisors, two graduate assistants, an undergraduate tutor coordinator, and nearly a dozen undergraduate and graduate peer tutors.
The office (which reports to the provost) relies heavily on communication among the staff, athletics administration, coaching staffs and the faculty. Since Seton Hall is a relatively small school, the staff is able to have regular and frequent communication with the faculty of the student-athletes. This feedback is essential to monitoring the academic progress of our target group. Based on comments from professors, each full-time staff member is able to point out to the students and coaches when particular intervention is required.
Tutoring services are provided, and study hall is required for freshmen, transfers and other at-risk students. The Life Skills program is also housed within the office, and every attempt is made to tap into on-campus recourses (e.g., the career center).
To find out more information concerning this program use the following contact information:
Institution:
page contact: jcromer@ncaa.org
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