The Athletics Counseling Office for Student-Athletes was established to provide support services to ensure each student-athlete’s personal and academic success.
Participation in athletics is important, but it represents only one aspect of the individual’s college experience. Academic achievement is of prime concern. Since student-athletes are required to commit a large percentage of their time to athletic activities, the University realizes the need for a support program to assist student-athletes in achieving their individual, academic, personal, and athletic goals. The University is committed to its student-athletes as total persons.
The Athletics Counseling program consists of the following: study hall; tutors; academic progress reviews; academic recognition awards; study skills training; academic orientation; senior exit seminar; newsletters; career services; drug, alcohol, and eating disorder programs; personal counseling; and various academic and sports-related workshops.
Hartford has two full-time academic counselors and a part-time tutor to assist its student-athletes. Andrea Gerich-Miller, Assistant Athletics Director/Academics, received her master’s degree from Springfield College and has held her current position for 16 years. Serving as an academic advisor for her 11th year is Arline Robbins, a graduate of Boston University who earned her master’s degree from Hartford.
Study Hall
Study hall is held in the Hartford Hawks Academic Center. The facility, used solely by student-athletes, is designed to provide a programmed time for study compatible with practice and competition schedules. Several computers are available for use, each equipped with Internet access. The lab also has wireless access so student-athletes can work on their own laptop computers.
Career Services
The University’s Career Center is available to assist student-athletes in: identifying skills, interests, and values; defining career objectives; planning educational goals; planning job-search campaigns; developing self-direction and personal responsibility in career/life planning; resume writing; and on-campus job-recruitment procedures.
Learning Skills Center
The University’s Learning Skills Center provides academic support services for students in reading, writing, and study skills. The professional staff at the Learning Skills Center can assist individuals with: written composition and research; reading comprehension; studying and test taking; learning disabilities; and English as a second language. In addition, athletics counselors work with academic high-risk student-athletes on an individual basis.
Academic Recognition Awards
Twice a year, student-athletes are recognized for their academic achievements. In mid-winter, there is a Scholar-Athlete Awards Reception for all students who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or above in the previous spring and/or fall semester. In addition, there is an end-of-the-year banquet at which both academic and athletics excellence are recognized.
