Academic Monitoring SSA regularly monitors the academic progress of all student-athletes.
Several methods for assessing academic progress are used, including
progress reports completed by faculty and self-reporting done by
student-athletes in regular academic meetings with SSA staff. Progress
reports are shared with student-athletes and coaches. In the event that
a problem is discovered, SSA works with the individual student-athlete
to develop strategies to alleviate the problem. As situations may
warrant, SSA staff consult with faculty and staff from various academic
and administrative units to enhance the student-athlete’s academic
experience.
Tutoring
When a student-athlete needs additional help outside of the classroom,
SSA will help the individual obtain a tutor at no cost to the student.
Student-athletes requesting a tutor will receive suggestions about how
best to use the time spent with the tutor. The SSA program primarily
utilizes the tutors through the University’s TutorFind service and
occasionally utilizes their own pool of tutors.
Academic Assistance
Students may receive a number of specialized assessment, support, and
remedial services in areas of academic achievement, study skills, and
test-taking skills. This aid will come through individual meetings with
SSA staff or through referrals to otheracademic assistance units.
Academic Planning
SSA provides student-athletes with information about appropriate
college advisement centers. Student-athletes are strongly encouraged to
meet with SSA staff to discuss their academic plans prior to meeting
with their advisors. To ensure that student-athletes have course
schedules that provide them with the best opportunities for success as
student and athletes, the SSA staff also confers with academic
advisors. In addition, due to eligibility requirements,
student-athletes are instructed not to change their schedules without
permission from the SSA staff once the academic semester has begun.
Study Hall
SSA conducts a supervised study hall, in which student-athletes
complete classroom assignments, prepare for exams, and meet with tutors
as necessary. Student-athletes can also use this time to consult with
SSA staff about concerns related to academic progress.
PERSONAL
AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Counseling
Like other students, student-athletes have a variety of personal,
social, and academic concerns. The staff of SSA is available to discuss
these concerns with student-athletes, which will occasionally require
more than consultation. If – after consulting with a student-athlete –
a staff member determines this to be the case, the student-athlete may
be referred to the Center for Counseling and Student Development
(CCSD). The CCSD provides individual and group counseling for
educational, career, and personal concerns. The student’s first contact
will typically be an intake interview during which the counselor and
student jointly make decisions about the type of help needed. The CCSD
also houses a career library containing information about majors,
career options, and graduate schools.
Teaching
In conjunction with the Department of Health & Exercise Sciences,
SSA staff members teach sections of a two-credit freshman seminar (HESC
135) during the fall semester. This course aids students in their
transition to college life. Topics focus on academic, career, and
personal development. Some specific topics include training for
academic success, career development, nutrition, drug & alcohol
education, and adjusting to campus life. Freshman student-athletes are
strongly advised to register for this course.
Workshops
Throughout the academic year, a number of workshops focusing on the
personal, academic, and career development of the student-athlete are
offered. This starts with an orientation meeting at the beginning of
the year for all new student-athletes. This meeting introduces the
student-athlete to information about the academic, administrative, and
social community at the University. Additional workshops are offered
throughout the year, typically in the evening to accommodate the
schedules of the student-athletes. Traditional topics addressed include
"how to find a major", "transitioning out of athletics", and
"resume-building", among others.
Community Service
SSA offer opportunites for personal development of its student-athletes
by coordinating a community service program Service activities are
usually determined by representative members of the Student-Athlete
Advisory Council (SAAC) or through coordination between SSA staff and
coaches/student-athletes. Organizations served in the past have
included Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Make A Difference Day,
Christmas in April, and local schools throughout the community.
HENS Peer Mentoring Program
The H.E.N.S. (Helping Each Newcomer Succeed) Peer Mentoring Program is
designed to aid first-year student-athletes with their transition into
the University of Delaware. Selected upperclassmen serve as mentors to
first-year student-athletes in both individual and group settings.
First-year student-athletes benefit from the experience of the
upperclassmen in handling many of the common challenges new
student-athletes face. The mentors benefit from an important leadership
opportunity outside the athletic realm.
Student-Athlete Advisory Council
The Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) is a representative body of
student-athletes jointly supervised by SSA and the Department of
Intercollegiate Athletics. The purpose of SAAC is: (1) to act as a
liasion between student-athletes and the Athletics/SSA staff, and (2)
to provide a forum for student-athletes to voice concerns and opinions
regarding their athletic and academic experiences. The SAAC is
comprised of at least one member of each intercollegiate team selected
by collaboration between coaches, previous SAAC representatives, and
the Athletics/SSA staff.
Publications
SSA annually publishes a handbook and information guide for
student-athletes. The handbook covers basic information about
University requirements, services, and athletic eligibility. The
handbook is distributed to all student-athletes and coaches at the
beginning of the fall semester.
CHAMPS/Life Skills Program
The University of Delaware was selected as one of the original 46
institutions to participate in the NCAA’s CHAMPS/Life Skills program,
which began in 1994. Since that time, approximately 50 schools have
been added each year. The NCAA’s CHAMPS/Life Skills program is designed
to support member institutions in their commitment to the total
development of the student-athlete. This development is broken down
into 5 areas of commitment:
commitment to academic excellence,
commitment to athletic excellence,
commitment to career development,
commitment to personal development, and
commitment to service.
In general, this program fits in with the mission of SSA. In addition,
SSA and Intercollegiate Athletics have instituted a CHAMPS/Life Skills
program for its student-athletes at the University. The mission of this
program is: (1) to provide drug & alcohol education for all
student-athletes as part of a developmental process with a focus on
overall wellness and personal growth and (2) to promote an experiential
learning process for all student-athletes that fosters a commitment to
community service, to team-building, to leadership experiences, and to
mentoring. This is accomplished through a developmental process where
student-athletes have to meet different requirements for each of their
years as a student-athlete. For more information, see the link for
CHAMPS/Life Skills.
The SSA staff is highly trained and experienced
in general counseling issues as well as counseling issues specific to
student athletes. The staff is comprised of professionals, graduate
students and interns in both counseling psychology and athletic
counseling.
James Coleman, M.A. Assistant Director
(302) 831-0757 jcoleman@udel.edu
Primary liaison to football, women's basketball, men's soccer, and men's cross country and track.
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