Academics at Providence College

ATHLETIC ACADEMIC SERVICES

The Office of Academic Services (OAS) provides specialized support to student-athletes in light of the unique time demands, responsibilities, and rules governing participation in intercollegiate athletics. Holistic services are provided in a safe, personal environment where academic growth is a priority, personal development and independence are enhanced, and longterm success is nurtured by a staff which models these same commitments.

Student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the classroom, as well as on the field or court, may be nominated for the BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team, the HOCKEY EAST Academic Honor Roll, NFHCA Division I Academic Team or the Academic AllAmerica Program presented by CoSIDA. The Providence College Athletic Department also honors student-athletes each semester who have achieved a 3.00 grade point average or higher.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor.

To be eligible for a bachelor’s degree, members of the Classes of 2015, must earn a minimum of 116 earned credit hours and complete at least 36 courses with a minimum value of three credits each. For members of the Class of 2016 and subsequent years, a minimum of 120 credit hours must be earned. For students of all class years, 2.00 (4.00 scale) minimum cumulative and major grade point averages are required. Included in the total credit hours for students beginning with the Class of 2016 are Core Curriculum courses in the areas of Development of Western Civilization (4 courses), Philosophy (2), Theology (2), Natural Science (1), Quantitative Reasoning (1), Social Science (1), and Fine Arts (1). In addition, a Core Focus sequence (2 courses) outside of one’s major requirements and learning proficiencies in the areas of Intensive Writing (2), Oral Communication (1), Civic Engagement (1), and Diversity (1) must be successfully completed.

Undergraduate students must spend at least eight semesters in full-time attendance, unless the period is reduced by advanced standing credit from another institution as reviewed and approved by the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies. The College reserves the right to allow graduation at the completion of seven semesters following the successful petition by students to the Committee on Academic Status with the subsequent approval of the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Official and complete academic information is published in Providence College’s academic catalogs, available at http://catalog. providence.edu/.

REV. KENNETH R. SICARD, O.P. COLLEGE PRESIDENT

A native of Fall River, Mass., Father Sicard was named Providence College’s 13th president on Oct, 4, 2019 and he took office on July 1, 2020. Father Sicard holds a Ph.D. in business education from The Ohio State University, awarded in 1997. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College in 1978 and a master’s degree in business administration from the College in 1982. From 1978-1984, prior to entering the Dominican Order of Preachers, he was employed by Fleet Financial Group in Providence, beginning in an entry-level position and rising to audit manager. Father Sicard was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. He holds a master of divinity degree and a bachelor of sacred theology degree from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. His first assignment after ordination was to Ohio Dominican College in Columbus, where he served as chaplain and a full-time faculty member, teaching courses in finance, money and banking, auditing, and accounting from 1990-1997. He also was responsible for the spiritual and sacramental needs of students and Dominican religious sisters. Father Sicard returned to PC to serve as dean of residence life from 1997-2005. He oversaw the supervision and security of all residence halls, the department’s operating budget, the hiring and supervision of more than 100 staff, and the creation of policies that ensured a quality of life for students consistent with the College’s mission. During that time, he also served the Dominican Province of St. Joseph as director of vocations for two years. In addition, he served as provincial treasurer from 2002-2010 and as a member of the Economic Council from 2010-2016, working on behalf of the Order in international operations related to portfolio management, accounting operations, property sales and acquisitions, construction and renovation, and financial planning. In 2005, he was appointed College executive vice president and treasurer by Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, who took office as PC’s 12th president on July 1. In that role, Father Sicard directly supervised many College operations, including athletics, student affairs, general counsel, mission and ministry, external affairs and marketing, human resources, and public safety. He served as the president’s chief of staff and as a member of the President’s Senior Cabinet. He oversaw the creation of three of the College’s strategic plans, including PC200, adopted in 2018. Father Sicard served as acting PC president from July 2018 to December 2018 while Father Shanley was on sabbatical.

ATHLETIC ACADEMIC SERVICES

ACADEMIC MONITORING • Progress report slips are sent to each instructor for all student-athletes at least once per semester. The staff tracks individual progress, schedules meetings as appropriate and personally contacts instructors as necessary.

COUNSELING/MENTORING • The staff meets with student-athletes, individually and in-groups, regarding academic, athletic, career and/or personal issues.

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM/SPECIAL PROJECTS • Programs and workshops on select life skills are presented, covering the following five component areas: academics, personal development, community service, athletics and career development. The OAS has collaborative relationships with many units on campus to help provide these services.

PRE-REGISTRATION • The staff assists student-athletes with planning and course registration. In conjunction with the Office of Academic Records, dates are determined for pre-registration each semester.

STUDY HALL • Quiet, monitored study time is available, during daytime and evening hours. Student-athletes are required and/or recommended to attend, on a sport-by-sport basis, by their respective head coach.

TRAVEL NOTIFICATIONS • At the beginning of each semester, studentathletes are provided with letters for their instructors, notifying them of travel/ competitive schedules.

TUTORIAL SERVICES AND THE WRITING CENTER • The Tutorial Center, which is nationally certified by the College Reading & Learning Association, provides peer tutoring in most subject areas. The Tutorial Center is open until 9:00 pm on weeknights. The Writing Center provides more intensive and specialized writing support and also maintains evening hours for student-athletes’ convenience.

ACADEMIC SERVICES - STAFF

Kaitlyn O'Malley Associate Director of Student-Athlete Services Jonathan Gomes Associate Director for Tutoring & Disability Services Shannon Catlin Academic Coordinator for Student-Athletes Jamie Lipski Academic Coordinator for Men's Basketball