2017 – 2018
Annual Report E NTE R
TO
LE ARN ,
LE AVE
TO
S E RVE
TABLE OF CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2 CCACSA Flag Project | 3 Values | 4
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | 5 Facts And Stats | 7 Academic Awards | 10
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT | 11 Facts And Stats | 12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) | 13
OUR TEAM | 14 CCACSA Conferences | 15 Accomplishments | 17 Graduate Assistant Career Highlights | 19 CCACSA Tutorial Program | 21
THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT. ABRAHAM LINCOLN The above quote illustrates our unprecedented success for the academic year 2016-2017. It was a year of reaching new milestones and setting the stage for being the leader in student-athlete development. This annual report is a tribute to those accomplishments and a reflection of our successes. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes’ (CCACSA) team, academic affairs, student affairs, athletic administration, coaches, Schools and Colleges, The Tiger Athletics Foundation, and Cox Communications for their unwavering and continuous support. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the CCACSA at Louisiana State University. This has been another remarkable year highlighted by a 90% Graduation Success Rate for all student-athletes. Reaching an all-time high which is 2% greater than the prior year and a 6% increase from 2016 at 84%, the success is contagious and undeniable. These young men and women transcended barriers and defined new paths to success through their academic pursuits. The journey undoubtedly is filled with challenges, and it is through those times that define their character, goals, mindset, and development. We, in the Academic Center, envision ourselves to be the premier provider of transformative studentathlete Support Services because we recognize the journey and the notion of what it means to be a student-athlete transitioning to scholar-athlete and ultimately to graduate. Clearly, transformative in nature, but an expectancy when they commit to Louisiana State University as student-athletes. All of our varsity teams exceeded the minimum academic performance rate of 930; 19 out of 19 sports have a minimum multiyear score of 953; 9 teams boast a perfect multi-year score of 1000, up from 5 in the previous year; and 10 teams received a perfect score of 1000 for the single year. We have volunteered more than 4,100 hours, demonstrating our commitment to community engagement.
we offered in prior years to equip current and future professionals with the necessary skills and competencies to buttress their knowledge. This two day professional development opportunity invited educators from area high schools, community colleges, and four year institutions to discuss topics related to student-athlete development and provided attendees with the unique opportunity to network with tutor/learning center professionals and gain valuable information to support and enhance student learning techniques and outcomes. The conference was also approved to offer continuing education units for the topics discussed. As we strive to be the premier provider of transformative studentathlete support services, it is imperative that we collectively develop, implement, and evaluate each stage of our graduation formula for success to ensure that the preparation and the infrastructure will equate to our desired outcome of entering to learn and leaving to serve. As you already know success happens by design, it is not accidental and we, as a team, are intentional in our holistic approach to studentathlete development. It is by design that we mold our studentathletes to become great ambassadors of Louisiana State University so that upon graduation, they can leave to serve the University community, the surrounding community, the state of Louisiana and beyond. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger. Forever LSU!
We have continued to lead the industry in academic, cognitive, personal, and professional development of student-athletes by offering a two day educational support summit entitled, “Navigating the Future” which was the combination of the two conferences that
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CCACSA FLAG PROJECT The flags displayed in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes (CCACSA) represent the countries of origin for current studentathletes through the 2016-17 cohort. The purpose of the display is to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within our student-athlete population and promote cultural awareness and acceptance. Flags will not be removed when students graduate, only added as the student-athletes’ countries of origin expands. The initial idea of representation came from Ms. Shanekia Hall, a former track student-athlete and graduate assistant within CCACSA. As a graduate student, Ms. Hall completed her internship within LSU’s Office of Diversity, and this was one of her projects. This concept accentuates the value of Diversity within the CCACSA’s strategic plan entitled Total Team Commitment and the values of being Globally Engaged and Culturally Adept within LSU Strategic Plan 2025.
GLOBALLY ENGAGED AND CULTURALLY ADEPT
VA L U E S BELOW DEFINES HOW OUR VALUES CONTRIBUTE TO TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF STUDENT-ATHLETES TO SCHOLAR ATHLETES.
A CCOUNTABILITY
Exhibiting the willingness to accept responsibility for your actions.
C OMMITMENT
Pledging excellence every day, every meeting, every situation, every time.
D IVERSITY
I NTEGRITY
Adhering to a strict moral and ethical code of behavior and action by consistently upholding rules, regulations, and values.
The aforementioned is our foundation for success, which clearly has happened by design. As you peruse our annual report, you will start to see the transformation of lives
S ERVICE
Individually and collectively, creating an environment of social awareness, establishing an appetite for helpfulness, and discovering a world with issues greater than our own.
Embracing and valuing the differences we all bring to the table.
through direction, guidance, passion, commitment, and excellence. Attributes that benefit all whom we served yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
S UCCESS E DUCATION
Fostering a thirst for knowledge and promoting the discipline to pursue life-long learning.
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Achieving excellence in all that is desired, planned, or attempted.
T EAMWORK
Valuing each other as members of our team and working together to achieve common, agreed upon goals.
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Academic Excellence
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ENTER TO LEARN…
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE (SEC) ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL 157 student-athletes earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition during the 2016-2017 academic year. This total includes 45 first-year student-athletes, 59 student-athletes from the Spring Honor Roll, and 53 student-athletes from the Fall Honor Roll who were placed on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. 210 student-athletes earned a 3.0 grade point average or higher for the Fall 2017 and 202 student-athletes for the Spring 2018 semester.
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Academic Excellence
SINGLE-YEAR APR
BELOW IS OUR SINGLE-YEAR APR* FROM 2011-2012 TO 2016-2017 AS RECORDED BY THE NCAA TEAM
16 TEAMS EARNED A SINGLE-YEAR
ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE (APR)* OF 950 OR ABOVE
958 980 942 951 990 972
Men’s Basketball
932 1000 940 1000 940 +
910 973 955 931 972 963
Men’s Golf
974
1000 980 978 988 1000 1000
Men’s Tennis
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 941
Men’s Track, Indoor
930 964 1000
-
-
-
Men’s Track, Outdoor
917
964 1000
-
-
-
-
- -
Women’s Golf
“-” Denotes no data.
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- 979 940
+
+
974
Women’s Softball
988 988 973 986 1000 961
Women’s Beach Volleyball - 977
961 973 1000 1000 1000
-
-
- 1000 1000
991 991 1000 1000 991
-
-
-
Women’s Track, Outdoor 991
-
-
-
Women’s Volleyball
SCORED A PERFECT 1000 APR
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
Women’s Track, Indoor 991 973 991
Women’s Track
9 TEAMS
– 975
973 983 – –
- 992 984
976 1000 1000 1000 1000
*Academic Progress Rate (APR): According to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the Academic Progress Rate (APR), implemented in 2003, holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term. The 2016 multi-year (four year) submission is data submitted by the institution for the following cohorts: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17. Currently, teams must earn a 930 four-year average APR or a 940 average over the most recent two years to participate in NCAA championships. In 2015-16 and beyond, teams must earn a four-year APR of 930 to compete in championships. A score of 1000 is a perfect score.
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Men’s Baseball
973 973 967 958 966 964
Men’s Basketball
909 955 957 973 974 953
Men’s Cross Country
913
Men’s Football
944 946 947 941 959 956
Men’s Golf
987 980 987 986 993 1000
Men’s Swimming
989 984 983 990 997 1000
Men’s Tennis
992 1000 1000 1000 1000 985
Men’s Track, Indoor
930 952 964
-
–
-
Men’s Track, Outdoor 929 951 963
-
–
-
Men’s Track Women’s Basketball
958 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
Women’s Soccer
Women’s Tennis
ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE (APR)* OF 950 OR ABOVE
1000 1000 1000
Women’s Gymnastics 1000 964 1000 1000 1000 1000
Women’s Swimming
ALL TEAMS EARNED A MULTI-YEAR
907 975 942 981 1000 1000
Women’s Cross Country +
“+” Denotes data representing three or fewer student-athletes. In accordance with FERPA’s interpretation of federal privacy regulations, institutions should not disclose statistical data contained in this report in cells made up of three or fewer students without student consent.
971 1000 1000 1000 1000
Men’s Swimming
Women’s Basketball
SCORED A PERFECT 1000 APR
1000 1000 950
Men’s Football
Men’s Track
10 TEAMS
1000 +
917
BELOW IS OUR MULTI-YEAR APR* FROM 2011-2012 TO 2016-2017 AS RECORDED BY THE NCAA TEAM
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Men’s Baseball
Men’s Cross Country
MULTI-YEAR APR
–
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
– – 963 975 969
964 966 955 949 975 981
Women’s Cross Country 1000
978 976
Women’s Golf
991 1000 1000 1000 1000
984
983 989 1000
Women’s Gymnastics 982 974 978 991 990 1000 Women’s Soccer
984 978 979 976 983 993
Women’s Softball
987 983 987 984 990 983
Women’s Beach Volleyball -
-
-
- 1000 1000
Women’s Swimming
974 982 981 990 995 995
Women’s Tennis
984 992 992 1000 1000 1000
Women’s Track, Indoor 984 984 985
-
–
-
Women’s Track, Outdoor 984
-
–
-
Women’s Track Women’s Volleyball
–
984 983 –
– 983 985 986
984 983 989 989 994 1000
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Academic Excellence
LSU STUDENT-ATHLETES HAVE IMPROVED GRADUATION SUCCESS RATES (GSR)* 21 POINTS SINCE 2006 (COHORT DATA FOR 1999-2000) AND POSTED THEIR HIGHEST RATE OF 90% IN 2017.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
OVERALL GSR FOR ALL LSU STUDENT-ATHLETES
2009-10
2016
2008-09
2015
2007-08
2014
2006-07
2013
2005-06
2012
2004-05
2011
2003-04
2010
2002-03
2009
2001-02
2008
2000-01
2007
1999-00
2006
COH ORT
GSR YEAR
90 88 84 81 81 80 78 74 71 69 69 69
*Graduation Success Rates (GSR): According to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the GSR Report provides information about two groups of students at the college or university identified at the top of the form: (1) all undergraduate students who were enrolled in a full-time program of studies for a baccalaureate degree; and (2) student-athletes who received athletics aid from the college or university for any period of time during their entering year.
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TIGER CUP
BEACH VOLLEYBALL John David Moore Football 1st Team CoSIDA Academic All-America
Milan Stokes Volleyball Nia Student-Athlete Award Jesse Owens Student Award
Skylar Mays Men’s Basketball Jesse Owens Student Award 2nd Team COSIDA Academic All-America
Excellence
2017
Academic
2010-11
The LSU beach volleyball team was awarded the Tiger Cup for its on and off-court accomplishments during the 2016-17 academic year. The Tiger Cup is presented by the Cox Communications Academic Center and the winner determined by combining a team's final conference and national ranking, its performance on the field along with its cumulative team grade-point average and community service hours accumulated. This is the first time that the beach volleyball team has taken home the Tiger Cup and joins Gymnastics, Softball and Soccer as the only LSU programs to have won the cup. The 2017 season was a monumental year for the beach volleyball program, earning its first 25+ win season and reaching the NCAA championship for the first time in team history. The Tigers finished second in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association conference and accumulated a 27-8 overall record. In addition to their success in the sand in 2017, members of the beach volleyball program averaged 31.45 hours of community service and compiled a 3.48 team GPA.
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT LEAVE TO SERVE…
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, STUDENT-ATHLETES HAVE LOGGED MORE THAN
4,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER YEAR.
A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
4,177
2017-18
7,048
2016-17
5,612
2015-16 2014-15
4,731
2013-14
4,725.5
2012-13
4,475 3,706
2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09
3,135 2,648.5 2,360
2007-08
2,589
2006-07
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Community Involvement
STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAAC) The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as a medium of communication through which student-athletes, Southeastern Conference administrators, institutional representatives, and coaches discuss and take action on issues relating to rules governance, student-athlete welfare, and community service initiatives. The mission of SAAC is to assist in the creation of an environment where all student-athletes have the opportunity to maximize their academic, athletic, personal, and social growth and improve their post-college quality of life. The members are comprised of representatives from each of the 17 varsity sports that strive to collectively carry out this mission through their continuous efforts and commitment to their fellow student-athlete.
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Serving as a member of SAAC provides the student-athletes the opportunity to represent LSU on the conference and national level. This representation gives them a chance serve in a leadership role where their influence impacts conference and national initiatives. This year, Danny Etling – Football, served as the Vice Chair of the SEC Football Leadership Council. Also Skylar Mays – Men’s Basketball and Jaelyn Richard-Harris – Women’s Basketball served on the SEC Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball Leadership Council, respectively. Christyna Pitre – Soccer was chosen to represent the SEC at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum.
Baseball, Rankin Woley
Women’s Soccer, Christyna Pitre
Gymnastics, Kylie Moran
Women’s Soccer, Courtney Henderson
Football, Danny Etling
Women’s Track & Field, Mikiah Brisco
Football, Blake Ferguson
Women’s Track & Field, Ericka Lewis
Men’s Basketball, Skylar Mays
Women’s Track & Field, Monica Guillot
Men’s Swimming & Diving, Thomas Smith
Women’s Swimming & Diving, Kate Zimmer
Men’s Swimming & Diving, Alarii Levreault-Lopez
Women’s Swimming & Diving, Leah Troskot
Men’s Track & Field, Harrison Martingayle
Women’s Swimming & Diving, Jane MacDougall
Men’s Track & Field, Dajour Braxton
Volleyball, Kelly Quinn
Softball, Amber Serrett
Volleyball, Katie Kampen
Softball, Elyse Thornhill
Beach Volleyball, Jennifer Clark
Women’s Basketball, Jaelyn Richard-Harris
Beach Volleyball, Riley Young
Women’s Tennis, Ryann Foster
Men’s Golf, Luis Gagne
Women’s Soccer, Lily Alfeld
Men’s Tennis, Agustin Moreno
OUR TEAM
TOTAL TEAM COMMITMENT…
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Our Team
CCACSA CONFERENCES STUDENT SUPPORT SUMMIT The Inaugural Student Support Summit: “Navigating The Future” was hosted in Baton Rouge on April 13-14, 2018 at the LSU PMAC Legends Club. This initiative was a merger of the two annual conferences hosted by CCACSA, the Annual Drive-In Conference for academic and athletic advisors and XLR8 Conference for tutors and learning professionals. The combined effort was a unique professional development and networking opportunity for educators from high schools, community colleges and four-year institutions. Academic advisors, campus faculty, and tutor/learning center professionals were able to gain valuable information to support and enhance student learning techniques. As a part of our commitment to education, the Student Support Summit is free for participants. Dr. Saundra McGuire, Director Emerita of the Center for Academic Success and retired Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry at LSU was the Keynote Speaker. Dr. McGuire provided insights on best practices from her works “Teaching Students How to Learn” and “Teach Yourself How to Learn” through the understanding of metacognition. The Student Support Summit offered a total of nine educational sessions presented by area athletic academic advisors, tutors, learning professionals, athletic compliance officers and academic accountability officers. Presenters shared their knowledge of academic skill development, personal and professional development, and techniques to enhance student learning needs.
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The LSU School of Social Work approved The Student Support Summit for 5.0 clock hours of general education. The LSU School of Social Work is recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners as an approved provider of continuing education.
N4A REGION II CONFERENCE On October 8-10, 2017 CCACSA hosted student-athlete support professionals from thirteen states at the N4A Region II Conference. N4A stands for the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals and the event took place at the newly renovated Baton Rouge Marriott. This special event provides an opportunity for academic advisors, learning specialists, student-athlete development professionals, and high school counselors to learn from their peers in the field, get recharged, and develop a new skill set to bring back to their own institutions. The theme of the conference, “Evolution is our Resolution,” was chosen because of the need to constantly evolve in order to meet the increasing demands with each new cohort of students. There were two keynote speakers, fourteen concurrent workshops, panel presentations, a community service event, and social outings. Prior to the start of the conference, professionals participated in a community service event by presenting a college readiness program at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. Keynote speaker, Dima Ghawi kicked off the conference by encouraging attendees to re-imagine their potential and grow as leaders with her presentation, “Leadership Starts from Within.” The second keynote speaker, Elaine Pasqua addressed issues such as high-risk drinking, sexual assault, bystander intervention, and sexual health in collegiate athletes in her presentation titled, “Surviving the Party: Helping our Students Navigate Towards Positive
Choices.” Concurrent workshop presentations were related to academic integrity, best practices in student learning, student-athlete development, mental health, limited resource institutions, and professional development. The LSU Compliance staff educated high school counselors and coaches from sixteen parishes in Louisiana on NCAA initial eligibility requirements. A panel focusing on mental health featured diverse contributors that were able to provide insight on hot topics in mental health for student-athletes and those who work with them. Several social events broke up the conference. New members to N4A were invited to attend a session where seasoned professionals shared their experiences in the field. There were two networking events, one at The Pelican House and an outing to New Orleans. N4A Region II Conference was approved to count as continuing education units for Louisiana high school counselors and coaches. In addition, the conference was approved for 6.0 clock hours of general education by The LSU School of Social Work. The LSU School of Social Work is recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners as an approved provider of continuing education.
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Our Team
ACCOMPLISHMENTS MARISA BLACKLEDGE Co-presented “How to Ensure Success through a Collaborative Summer Bridge Program” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA. LOUISE BODACK Served as a panelist for “All in the Family: Mental Health Panel” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA.
CARLI FAULKNER Co-Presented “How to Ensure Success through a Collaborative Summer Bridge Program” and “Hear MIKE ROAR: Developmental Learning through In-House Programs” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA. Served as a panelist for “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Finding Purpose, Passion and Opportunity for Growth in Your Current Job” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA.
KIRSTIN DEFUSCO Coordinated the 2017 N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is our Resolution” held in October 2017 in Baton Rouge, LA. Co-Presented “Geaux Learn. Geaux Engage. Geaux Pro. Graduate Assistant Development Program” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA.
ASHLEY GRANGER Co-Coordinated the inaugural CCACSA Student Support Summit, “Navigating the Future” held at the LSU PMAC Legends Club in Baton Rouge, LA. Earned Board Approval Clinical Supervisor (BACS) credential issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE).
LYDIA DORSEY Co-Coordinated the inaugural CCACSA Student Support Summit, “Navigating the Future” held at the LSU PMAC Legends Club in Baton Rouge, LA. Presented “Increase Success with LMS [Learning Management System]: Utilizing Canvas for Blended Tutor Training” at the 2017 National College Learning Center Association Conference in San Antonio, TX.
WALT HOLLIDAY Served as a Professional Development Institute faculty member for the inaugural Student-Athlete Development Track at the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) National Convention in Washington DC. Was awarded the 2018 LSU Foundation Staff Outstanding Service Award, an annual award established to recognize the superior work performance and outstanding
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contributions of full-time, non-academic staff employees of the LSU A&M campus and the LSU Agricultural Center. DOROTHY KEMP Presented “Whitening Black Applicants: Hiring Discrimination and Altering Self-Presentation for Employment” at the American Association for Blacks in Higher Education Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. Presented “Hiring Discrimination and Altering Self-Presentation: Implications for Students and Professionals” and served as a panelist for “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Finding Purpose, Passion and Opportunity for Growth in Your Current Job” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA. Presented “CRLA and N4A: Bridging Two Organizations” at the 50th Annual CRLA Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Presented a webinar, “Increase Success with an LMS: Utilizing Canvas for Blended Tutor Training” for the College Reading and Learning Association Student Athlete Special Interest Group. Served as a panelist for “Broadening the Conversation on Intersectionality” as part of the LSU Office of Diversity Chat and Chew Diversity and Inclusion Lecture Series. Presented “Who’s In – Creating a Process for Caseload Inclusion and Graduation” at the 2018 N4A National Conference in Washington, DC. Earned the Olin K Dart, Jr. Kiwanian of the Year for 2017-2018, was a 2018 Eleanor Earle Memorial AAUW Scholarship Recipient, and was recognized as one of InRegister Magazine’s Women with A Cause for 2017-2018.
JONATHAN LEVESQUE Presented “Leveraging Technology to Boost Graduation Success” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA. CALVIN MARSHALL Co-Coordinated the inaugural CCACSA Student Support Summit, “Navigating the Future” held at the LSU PMAC Legends Club in Baton Rouge, LA. ADRIANA MASON Co-Presented “Geaux Learn. Geaux Engage. Geaux Pro. Graduate Assistant Development Program” at the N4A Region II Conference: “Evolution is Our Resolution” in Baton Rouge, LA. KENNETH MILES Served as Past-President of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A). Presented “We’re Not Just Keeping Them Eligible: A Conversation about Academic Support” at the 2018 Black Student-Athlete Summit Conference in Austin, TX. Co-Presented “Recommendations for New Practitioners” at the 2018 N4A National Conference in Washington, DC.
JESSICA SAVONA Presented “Tutorial Services and Tutoring Strategies from the Eyes and Heart of a Former StudentAthlete” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA. JASON SHAW Served as a panelist for “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Finding Purpose, Passion and Opportunity for Growth in Your Current Job” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA. Graduated from the 2018 LEAD LSU Leadership Program in August 2018.
CAROLE WALKER Served as a panelist for “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Finding Purpose, Passion and Opportunity for Growth in Your Current Job” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA. Served as a panelist for “Big Money: Earning the NCAA Academic Distribution” at the 2018 Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) Symposium in Washington, DC.
BRENTON SUMLER Elected Chair-Elect for the N4A Student-Athlete Development Committee.
SARAH VARNER Presented “To the Window, to the Wall: Using Multi-Sensory Learning to Increase Student Learning and Engagement” at the CCACSA Student Support Summit: “Navigating the Future” in Baton Rouge, LA.
Success Happens by Design, It is not Accidental, Guest Speaker, Athletics Council Meeting (2017) E51 Podcast: No More Reasonable Doubt Podcast Empowering Young Professionals of Color (2017)
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Our Team
CCACSA GRADUATE ASSISTANT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS A goal of the CCACSA Total Team Commitment is to “Nurture the Personal Well-Being and Professional Aspirations of Our Team”. As Graduate Assistants are an essential part of that team, we place an emphasis on assisting them to realize their professional goals by providing resources for them in the job search including resume writing assistance, mock interviews, providing financial support for attendance at conferences, and membership in both local and national organizations. We are pleased to report that our most recent class of GA’s graduating during the 2017-2018 academic year were successful in attaining 100% job placement. Congratulations to this impressive group!
ERIN JACKSON graduated in December 2017 with her Master of Accountancy. She is now working as an Assurance Associate at Price Waterhouse Coopers in Houston, Texas.
AUSTIN KNIGHT completed his Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Administration in May 2018. He was hired as an Academic Counselor for Athletics at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana.
CONNOR MCGARVEY is completing his coursework at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law School for his J.D. – M.S. in Finance Dual Degree program. He graduated summa cum laude with a Masters in Finance December 2018 and is working as a research assistant for the LSU Law School.
NEW STAFF ADDITIONS SARAH VARNER Learning Specialist Sarah Varner comes to LSU from the University of Florida where she worked as a learning specialist and strategy tutor. In Baton Rouge, Varner will provide LSU student-athletes with individualized instructional and educational support. A graduate of the University of Florida, Varner worked in Atlanta, Georgia, as an elementary school teacher, Title I federal programs facilitator, and supportive instruction specialist. While working as a Title I federal programs facilitator, Varner designed and orchestrated the implementation of a culturally responsive program that addressed the diversity and inclusion of minority student populations due to large-scale redistricting efforts. During her time in primary education, Varner was also involved in the planning, development, and district-wide adoption of an online learning management system due to her previous research experience related to blended learning, instructional accessibility, and bridging the minority achievement gap. While earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a concentration in elementary education and her Master of Education with a concentration in special education from Florida, Varner also obtained additional credentials in reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Varner is an Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) certified practitioner and brings with her specialized training in reading intervention, multi-sensory learning, and educational testing and evaluation.
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS CCACSA Twitter
@LSUAcademicCtr
ACSA Instagram
lsuacsa
LSU ACSA
LSU ACSA @GEAUXLifeSkills
Life Skills Twitter SAAC Twitter
@LSUSAAC
Life Skills Instagram Youtube
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GeauxLifeSkills
LSU Life Skills Channels
Our Team
CCACSA TUTORIAL PROGRAM The primary goal of the LSU CCACSA Tutorial Program is to provide student-athletes with supplemental instruction through weekly oneon-one and group tutoring appointments. All student-athletes may request a tutor for any subject. Each tutorial session follows the “Constructivist Teaching Model” which outlines objectives, work accomplished, and future work to be completed. Following the tutoring session, each tutor submits a report on the studentathlete’s preparedness, comprehension, notetaking, and success in meeting the outlined objectives during the session. The Tutorial Center employs on average around one-hundred tutors. There are two types of tutors: content and strategy. Content Tutors are subjectspecific instructors (e.g. math, biology, etc.) who provide supplemental instruction and academic support to students in their specific coursework. The purpose of Strategy Tutors is to provide individualized and/or small group academic support and assistance for studentathletes. Strategy Tutors assist students in their transition to LSU, developing their study skills and habits, fostering an understanding of learning and motivation, and helping them to develop academic literacy skills. Strategy Tutors also provide relevant guidance, support, and instruction in reading and writing. The CCACSA Tutorial Center holds approximately 1,300-1,500 tutorial appointments a week and maintains a tutor staff of 85-100 undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and professional tutors. Each semester, CCACSA Academic Advisors who are assigned to oversee
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the academic progress of specific sports, request tutoring appointments for their assigned students through our tutor appointment request system, GradesFirst, for specific courses. These requests are processed and filled by the Tutorial Center, and students are assigned to meet with tutors one-on-one or in small groups one or more times per week at a specified time in GradesFirst. The CCACSA Tutorial Center offers 20 private rooms for tutoring sessions, including computers and 65” SMART Board interactive monitors. SMART Board encourages active learning through its tactile interfaces, and also presents opportunities for the gamification of the learning process. The Tutorial Center’s SMART Board Game-Based Learning Initiative aims to build a content database of courserelated SMART Board games and activities for tutors and student-athletes to use in tutoring sessions. Each semester, we encourage tutors to both utilize and contribute content to our shared SMART Board database by participating in SMART Board training as well as building an activity in their content area. This online training is available on Lynda.com (available for free for all LSU students and staff) and offers an indepth two-hour training on the functionality and applications of the SMART Boards. The tutors are then required to create their own content-specific module of SMART Board materials based on the courses they frequently tutor to add to the CCACSA shared content collection. Even though we currently only have four SMART Boards in the Tutorial Center, all computers in the Tutorial Center are equipped with the Smart Notebook
collaborative learning software, to allow all students and tutors access to these learning and study activities. Our College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA)-certified Tutor Trainings are based heavily in the Constructivist teaching model and also relate to the specific needs of our special populations of student-athletes. All of our tutor trainings are facilitated by the Tutorial Center Staff and Learning Specialists, who are able to interface with the tutor population and serve as a resource for questions, advice, and assisting with conflict management, should an issue arise. CRLA Level 1 Training utilizes multi-modal, interactive, researched-based strategies and methods to develop our in-person tutor trainings on tutorial instruction best practices, pedagogies, and teaching strategies.
At the end of each year, the CCACSA staff votes to choose the top ten tutors of that academic year and honors them as “Tutors of Distinction.” An awards lunch is held to recognize these tutors for their contributions to the success of our program. Tutors of Distinction are chosen from that year’s Tutors of the Month. Tutors of Distinction show passion and dedication to their students through the effort and enthusiasm they bring to each session, implement novel and engaging learning and teaching strategies in sessions, adapt to the learning needs of each individual student, and regularly go “above and beyond” to communicate with the Student Learning Program and Academic Advising Team to ensure student accountability and success. CCACSA has awarded this honor to tutors for the past three years.
CRLA Level 2 Training consists of two fourhour, in-person trainings featuring content specific-presentations, application activities, and assessments on topics including Group Tutoring, Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation, and course specific trainings in Tutoring Writing, Reading, Math, and Online Courses. The goal for our CRLA Level 3 Master Tutor Training is to offer valuable transferable knowledge and skills via a hybrid learning format translating to a professional career in academic support services (learning specialist, tutor coordinator, and other positions), as well as develop a group of tutor mentors who counsel new tutors.
COX COMMUNICATIONS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
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100 Gym Armory Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (P) 225.578.5787 (F) 225.578.5790 acsa.lsu.edu