University of Massachusets Athletics
Academic Staff To Present At 2015 NACDA/N4A National Convention
June 12, 2015 | General
Associate Athletics Director for Academic Support Joan Hopkins, Associate Director of Academic Support Matthew Komer, and Assistant Director of Academic Support/Director of Learning Enhancement Casey Stark will be presenting "Pro-Active Advising for At-Risk Student-Athletes" during the Concurrent Group Workshop III from 1:30 pm-2:45 pm in Salon 4 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The group's presentation will be a part of the Advising Track - TED TALKS Format: Not Your Average Advising Program...Advising with a Twist! session.
The session will reveal the practices and guidelines in place to successfully advise student-athletes who have entered as at-risk or have been determined at-risk based on their prior semesters.
The M.A.S.S. (Making Athletes Successful Students) program is designed to help advisors lead their students towards self-efficiency while remaining in communication with (and holding accountable) all the entities involved - the school, the faculty, the coaches, and most importantly the STUDENT!
Through weekly, directed meetings, each student comes away with tasks and an action plan to perform in order to be successful in the classroom. Follow up occurs with a tutor or an educational assistant and along with the advisor, each writes reports that are shared with the respective coach(es). This cyclical approach allows for transparent interaction that leads to increased student preparation, performance, and ultimately success.
The N4A is made up of professional Academic Advisors in Athletics from across the country at all levels of Collegiate Athletics.
The theme of the 40th Annual National Convention, taking place Thursday June 11th - Sunday, June 14th, is "Strength from our Past, Promise for our Future ".