Often the discussion of the value of the student-athlete experience is mentioned as if it is a unique opportunity to grow and develop. The reality is that it is no different than the experience of any other vested college student. The basic formula for graduation is really simple despite the many contributors. It is intrinsic motivation plus attitude plus academic integration plus social integration. Those four attributes will undoubtedly increase the retention rates and ultimately the graduation rates. In fact, Zig Ziglar reminds us that, “It is [our] attitude, not [our] aptitude that determines [our] altitude.” The collaboration goes beyond academic support centers for student-athletes and non-student-athletes to athletics administration, coaches, student life, campus life, residence life, women centers, LGBTQ centers, office of diversity, athletic training rooms, multicultural affairs, academic affairs, career services, senior colleges/schools, freshmen year experiences and the succeeding years, familial involvement, cultural competencies, social capital, culture capital, faculty teachings, the educational journey from early childhood through secondary education are all critical to the maturation, growth and development of our students. Consequently, the aforementioned variables where applicable are also critical to the persistence and graduation of all students and not just student-athletes. Participants will leave the session developing a retention and graduation model for their respective institutions.

1. #NASPA16@NASPAtweets
How does Academic & Student
Affairs Collaborate to Increase
Graduation Rates among
Student-Athletes & the General
Population?
MS. WHITNEE BOYD, GRADUATE ASSISTANT
MR. KENNETH O. MILES, ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR OF
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COX
COMMUNICATIONS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
DR. DARRELL RAY, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE

2. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
INTRODUCTIONS
• Ms. Whitnee Boyd, Graduate Assistant, Texas Christian
University
• Mr. Kenneth O. Miles, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic
Affairs & Executive Director of the Cox Communications
Academic Center for Student-Athletes, Louisiana State
University
• Dr. Darrell Ray, Assistant Vice President for Student Life,
Louisiana State University

3. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
GRADUATION FORMULA
ACADEMIC INTEGRATION
+
SOCIAL INTEGRATION
+
TECHNOLOGY
=
GRADUATION

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ACADEMIC INTEGRATION

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NCAA CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
• Declaration of Major
• Percentage of Degree
• Grade Point Average

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STUDENT & PARENT ORIENTATION
• Utilize the orientation process to ensure parents and
students are aware of the academic resources and
expectations.
• Provide detail information on where students can
identify places for support.
• Examine factors that can impact a student-athletes
academic integration, including pre-college
preparation; understanding of resources; wellness
• Ensure student-athletes are aware of resources
surrounding health and wellness. Be in shape, does
not guarantee being in good health.

7. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
STUDENT & PARENT ORIENTATION - STUDENTS
• Entry point of contact, which sets the tone for the relationship
with the entire campus.
• Opportunity to be intentional in messaging student-athletes
are a part of the campus, not just the athletic department.
• Discuss involvement & engagement on a continuum, factoring
in the reality of practice schedules.
• Be mindful of the fact they are transitioning the same as their
peers with the added pressure of athletics and competition.
• Prepare student-athletes for potential negative stereotypes
they may encounter in the classroom.

8. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
STUDENT & PARENT ORIENTATION - PARENTS
• Parental experience with higher education will vary across a wide a
spectrum.
• Be mindful that based on the sport and recognition of the student,
parents may exhibit a different disposition.
• Examine orientation content to ensure accessibility to readers at any
level.
• Provide materials to parents to acclimate them to campus resources
and how to refer their student.
• Some parents may be accustomed to high levels of engagement
(booster clubs, parents clubs, fundraising, etc.)
• Identify opportunities for engagement with parents of student-
athletes in the broader context of the institution.

9. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
SOCIAL INTEGRATION

10. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
FIRST YEAR TRANSITION
• Examine how your campus is operationally defining
“athlete.” How is that inclusive of all student-athletes?
• Acknowledge the level of cultural competence on
campus and determine potential areas of challenge.
• Understanding the level of engagement student-
athletes have can vary based on their sport, coach,
and personal expectations.
• Be honest about the reasons for wanting to engage or
be engaged with student-athletes and athletics.

11. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
FIRST YEAR TRANSITION
• Have exhaustive lists of services provided to athletes
to determine intentional mechanisms for
collaborations.
• Identify services your department or division can
provide to support student-athletes.
• Examine existing services to determine if they are
offered at a time conducive to the various practice
schedules.
• Factor in the range of sports across the academic
calendar to determine where engagement can be
more intentional.

12. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
FIRST YEAR TRANSITION
• Identify opportunities for intentional
programming.
• Collaborate with athletic marketing to
increase student attendance at all sporting
events.
• Communicate with athletic compliance to
become familiar with NCAA regulations as
you design engagement opportunities.

13. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
TECHNOLOGY

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TECHNOLOGY
• Myer Briggs/Inventory Assessment
• Online Services
• Utilizing technology to preserve academic
integrity
• Technology Transfer

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EXAMPLES OF COLLABORATIONS

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LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
• Partnership with Academic Advisors
• Summer Academic Success Program -
Bridge Program
• Career Services Liaison
• Office of Advocacy and Accountability
• Campus Committees
• Academic Center for Student-Athletes reports
to Provost’s Office

17. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
• Student Development Services
– Established monthly committee meetings
with athletics
– Student-athletes attending extended
orientation and welcome week
– Leadership Center
– Financial Literacy (Important with new cost
of attendance rules)

18. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
WISCONSIN
• Builds relationships with career counselors across
campus
• Has liaisons for various for campus departments
• Partnership with study abroad
• Partner with academic affairs to create a freshman
seminar course for student-athletes
• Lifeskills Academy
– 12 Weeks course
– Each week they bring in a partner from campus to
speak (Alcohol and Drug Education, Mental Health,
Sexual Wellness)

19. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
STANFORD
• No student-athlete housing
– Paired with a non student-athlete roommate
as a first year student
• Academic advisors are under the Provost office
• Partners for Academic Excellence (Mentors from
graduate school, faculty members involved)
– Building a Successful Academic Career - 1
unit course

20. @NASPAtweets #NASPA16
TIPS FOR BUILDING THESE CONNECTIONS
• Build the right team with the right connections
• Patience…it’s a process
• Top/down or bottom/up approach
• Understand the needs for your campus
• Partnership
• Understand both environments
• Establish a rapport with the Compliance
Office
• Check your biases

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ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY
ACADEMIC INTEGRATION SOCIAL INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGY

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QUESTIONS???

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CONTACT INFO
Ms. Whitnee Boyd
whitnee.boyd@gmail.com
Mr. Kenneth O. Miles
komiles@lsu.edu
Dr. Darrell Ray
dcray5@lsu.edu

24. SAVE THE
DATE
March 11-15,
2017