alcorn state university
A LCORN S TATE U NIVERSITY O F FI CE O F A T HL E T I C A C A D E M I C E N H AN CE M E NT
What is the Dr. Dennis E. Thomas Life Skills program? NCAA Life Skills is a well-known collaboration between the national office, member institutions, and conference offices. It is committed to the total development of student-athletes, preparing them with "life skills" that are useful throughout the college experience and after graduation. This program is currently modeled after the “Total Person Project” established by Dr. Homer Rice, longtime athletics director at Georgia Institute of Technology. The project stemmed from Dr. Rice’s belief that excellence is a result of a balanced life. This balance includes academic achievement, athletic success, and personal well-being. These traits are core values that Life Skills administrators across the country bring to their everyday interaction with student-athletes.
MISSION The mission of the Dennis E. Thomas Life Skills program is to develop and prepare studentathletes for success while in college and for life after college by utilizing academic, athletic, and community resources. We aim to enhance the quality of life in the student-athlete experience by fostering the development of the whole person. We offer programming opportunities in the following areas: • Academic Excellence • Athletic Excellence • Career Development • Community Engagement • Personal Development FOCUS: CHARACTER, COMMUNITY, & CAREER LEADERSHIP Student Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC) Braves Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of two or more leaders from each Alcorn State Athletic team. Meetings are held once a month. Braves SAAC discusses issues of interest and possible solutions pertaining to academics, athletic, and student athlete personal wellness at Alcorn State University. Additionally, SAAC coordinates several CHAMPS activities promoting community service, career development and personal development, athletic, and academic excellence events throughout the year. Braves SAAC is in communication with
the Athletic Director’s office, SWAC conference, and NCAA in regards to rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athlete experience.
Braves SAAC Mission To challenge our student athletes to develop championship character and execute championship performance through excellence in attitude, academics and athletics while fostering an atmosphere of team unity, community outreach, career development & transition, leadership, sportsmanship and University pride. Leadership Education Leadership development is provided through a variety of group workshops and individualized education opportunities. Through various programming, student-athletes learn and apply theories that are necessary to be successful leaders in today’s society. Leadership development is meant to provide student-athletes with a holistic leadership experience. DEVELOPMENT Freshmen Transition Incoming freshmen student-athletes enroll in a college course that provides them with selfawareness, skill set, and confidence necessary to navigate the academic, athletic, and social transition from high school to the world of the collegiate student-athlete. Student-athletes examine their personal values, measure their athletic identity, and establish goals that will help them create a game plan for success, both on and off of the playing fields. They receive skills that assist them with navigating the classroom, communicating with coaches and teammates, mentally preparing for practice and competition, and managing time. Additional topics include the transition experiences of international and transfer student-athletes, mental health awareness, and healthy decision-making. Career Development Student-athletes develop skills through competition and the classroom that make them marketable to employers. The Life Skills program will facilitate workshops that assist studentathletes with the exploration and development of their career options. In collaboration with Alcorn’s Career Service department, we will focus on areas that included, but are not limited to: • Career Counseling: • Career Fairs • Graduate School • Internship Opportunities • Interviewing & Networking Skills • Resume & Cover Letter Writing Seminars
Community Engagement Student-athletes have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community. In coordination with Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), student-athletes are encouraged to spend ample time volunteering and giving back to the community. Not only do our student-
athletes learn the value of service and outreach, but they also learn that through giving; they truly receive. Community engagement helps student-athletes grown in areas: • Communication Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Leadership Skills It also allows student-athletes to value the surrounding community and have a feeling of belonging within this community. In partnership with local elementary schools within the area, student-athletes invest their time for the benefit of others. Personal Development Personal Development is an integral part of the balancing act that student-athletes require. With Life Skills programming, we strive to provide all of our student-athletes with the opportunities to learn and grow to reach their full potential and nurture those growths. Events Student-athletes are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on different workshops hosted by the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement. The department plans events for student-athletes that include: Annual Recognition Programs: Student-Athlete of the Month- Student-Athlete of the Month honorees are nominated by
faculty, staff, coaches, and athletic administration, based on the five pillars of the Life Skills program.
National Student-Athlete Day- National Student-Athlete Day is generally recognized on April 6 nationwide; however, can be celebrated the entire month of April. The day recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the playing fields and who give back to their community through service projects. Breakfast of Champions (Academic Honors Program) - Sponsored by Allstate, this event honors scholar student-athletes who earned at least a 3.0 grade point average. Graduation Breakfast-Annual graduation breakfast to recognize all graduating studentathletes. Chi Alpha Sigma Ceremony- Annual ceremony to recognize college student athletes who have earned a varsity letter in at least one sports while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.
Annual Workshops: Fall Kick-off- During the first week of school in the Fall semester, the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement is coordinates orientation for student-athletes to celebrate previous year’s achievements and expectations for upcoming year. Health and Nutrition Clinic- Student-athletes participate in programming designed to
raise awareness and encourage discussion about mental health issues.
Passport to Success- Student-athletes participate in a variety of areas such as mentorship, coaching, and other campus connections to achieve their academic goals. Declare Your Major Day-Designed to celebrate freshmen and sophomores on taking charge of their academic career path.
Career Planning- Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include, but are not limited to, career advising, resume workshops, dressing for success, and networking. Money Management- Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include, but are not limited to, banking, budgeting, savings, and investing. Social Media Training-Program designed to create awareness and enhance knowledge to student-athletes and ensure they “THINK” while using social media. Healthy Decision Making- The program is to educate, inform and assist students with responsible decision making strategies regarding sexual health and sexual responsibility (i.e. consent). Drug and Alcohol Awareness-Drug and Alcohol education is yearly programming designed to educate and inform student-athletes about the consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse. Diversity & Inclusion-This programming is aimed at increasing student-athletes’ cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills to improve the overall team climate, reduce conflict, and enhance teamwork. Stress Management-This programming allows student-athletes to manage the pressures and balance life as a student-athlete.
Braves Cup Challenge The Brave Cup Competition puts teams against one another to compete and earn points within the five Brave Pillars of Success: Academic, Athletics, Career, Community, and Personal. Student-athletes earn points for their respective teams through their participation and attendance at events within each category. The team that accumulates the greatest number of points is announced the winner prior to the end of the school year. While the events promote the spirit of competition, the ultimate goal is to encourage student-athletes to take advantage of the many resources and programs that are available to them, as well as, inspiring student-athlete camaraderie across all sports.
What is the Dr. Dennis E. Thomas Life Skills program? NCAA Life Skills is a well-known collaboration between the national office, member institutions, and conference offices. It is committed to the total development of student-athletes, preparing them with "life skills" that are useful throughout the college experience and after graduation. This program is currently modeled after the “Total Person Project” established by Dr. Homer Rice, longtime athletics director at Georgia Institute of Technology. The project stemmed from Dr. Rice’s belief that excellence is a result of a balanced life. This balance includes academic achievement, athletic success, and personal well-being. These traits are core values that Life Skills administrators across the country bring to their everyday interaction with student-athletes.
MISSION The mission of the Dennis E. Thomas Life Skills program is to develop and prepare studentathletes for success while in college and for life after college by utilizing academic, athletic, and community resources. We aim to enhance the quality of life in the student-athlete experience by fostering the development of the whole person. We offer programming opportunities in the following areas: • Academic Excellence • Athletic Excellence • Career Development • Community Engagement • Personal Development FOCUS: CHARACTER, COMMUNITY, & CAREER LEADERSHIP Student Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC) Braves Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of two or more leaders from each Alcorn State Athletic team. Meetings are held once a month. Braves SAAC discusses issues of interest and possible solutions pertaining to academics, athletic, and student athlete personal wellness at Alcorn State University. Additionally, SAAC coordinates several CHAMPS activities promoting community service, career development and personal development, athletic, and academic excellence events throughout the year. Braves SAAC is in communication with
the Athletic Director’s office, SWAC conference, and NCAA in regards to rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athlete experience.
Braves SAAC Mission To challenge our student athletes to develop championship character and execute championship performance through excellence in attitude, academics and athletics while fostering an atmosphere of team unity, community outreach, career development & transition, leadership, sportsmanship and University pride. Leadership Education Leadership development is provided through a variety of group workshops and individualized education opportunities. Through various programming, student-athletes learn and apply theories that are necessary to be successful leaders in today’s society. Leadership development is meant to provide student-athletes with a holistic leadership experience. DEVELOPMENT Freshmen Transition Incoming freshmen student-athletes enroll in a college course that provides them with selfawareness, skill set, and confidence necessary to navigate the academic, athletic, and social transition from high school to the world of the collegiate student-athlete. Student-athletes examine their personal values, measure their athletic identity, and establish goals that will help them create a game plan for success, both on and off of the playing fields. They receive skills that assist them with navigating the classroom, communicating with coaches and teammates, mentally preparing for practice and competition, and managing time. Additional topics include the transition experiences of international and transfer student-athletes, mental health awareness, and healthy decision-making. Career Development Student-athletes develop skills through competition and the classroom that make them marketable to employers. The Life Skills program will facilitate workshops that assist studentathletes with the exploration and development of their career options. In collaboration with Alcorn’s Career Service department, we will focus on areas that included, but are not limited to: • Career Counseling: • Career Fairs • Graduate School • Internship Opportunities • Interviewing & Networking Skills • Resume & Cover Letter Writing Seminars
Community Engagement Student-athletes have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community. In coordination with Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), student-athletes are encouraged to spend ample time volunteering and giving back to the community. Not only do our student-
athletes learn the value of service and outreach, but they also learn that through giving; they truly receive. Community engagement helps student-athletes grown in areas: • Communication Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Leadership Skills It also allows student-athletes to value the surrounding community and have a feeling of belonging within this community. In partnership with local elementary schools within the area, student-athletes invest their time for the benefit of others. Personal Development Personal Development is an integral part of the balancing act that student-athletes require. With Life Skills programming, we strive to provide all of our student-athletes with the opportunities to learn and grow to reach their full potential and nurture those growths. Events Student-athletes are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on different workshops hosted by the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement. The department plans events for student-athletes that include: Annual Recognition Programs: Student-Athlete of the Month- Student-Athlete of the Month honorees are nominated by
faculty, staff, coaches, and athletic administration, based on the five pillars of the Life Skills program.
National Student-Athlete Day- National Student-Athlete Day is generally recognized on April 6 nationwide; however, can be celebrated the entire month of April. The day recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the playing fields and who give back to their community through service projects. Breakfast of Champions (Academic Honors Program) - Sponsored by Allstate, this event honors scholar student-athletes who earned at least a 3.0 grade point average. Graduation Breakfast-Annual graduation breakfast to recognize all graduating studentathletes. Chi Alpha Sigma Ceremony- Annual ceremony to recognize college student athletes who have earned a varsity letter in at least one sports while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.
Annual Workshops: Fall Kick-off- During the first week of school in the Fall semester, the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement is coordinates orientation for student-athletes to celebrate previous year’s achievements and expectations for upcoming year. Health and Nutrition Clinic- Student-athletes participate in programming designed to
raise awareness and encourage discussion about mental health issues.
Passport to Success- Student-athletes participate in a variety of areas such as mentorship, coaching, and other campus connections to achieve their academic goals. Declare Your Major Day-Designed to celebrate freshmen and sophomores on taking charge of their academic career path.
Career Planning- Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include, but are not limited to, career advising, resume workshops, dressing for success, and networking. Money Management- Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include, but are not limited to, banking, budgeting, savings, and investing. Social Media Training-Program designed to create awareness and enhance knowledge to student-athletes and ensure they “THINK” while using social media. Healthy Decision Making- The program is to educate, inform and assist students with responsible decision making strategies regarding sexual health and sexual responsibility (i.e. consent). Drug and Alcohol Awareness-Drug and Alcohol education is yearly programming designed to educate and inform student-athletes about the consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse. Diversity & Inclusion-This programming is aimed at increasing student-athletes’ cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills to improve the overall team climate, reduce conflict, and enhance teamwork. Stress Management-This programming allows student-athletes to manage the pressures and balance life as a student-athlete.
Braves Cup Challenge The Brave Cup Competition puts teams against one another to compete and earn points within the five Brave Pillars of Success: Academic, Athletics, Career, Community, and Personal. Student-athletes earn points for their respective teams through their participation and attendance at events within each category. The team that accumulates the greatest number of points is announced the winner prior to the end of the school year. While the events promote the spirit of competition, the ultimate goal is to encourage student-athletes to take advantage of the many resources and programs that are available to them, as well as, inspiring student-athlete camaraderie across all sports.
