Office of Academic Support Services
10/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Intercollegiate athletics is a rewarding extracurricular activity that can add a special dimension to student life. Student-athletes in the athletic program take advantage of Seton Hall's academic support program. Director of Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes Matt Geibel and his staff help ensure that student-athletes successfully balance their commitments to academics and athletics.
Geibel, Associate Director Amanda Di Donato, Coordinator/Student-Athlete Development & Special Projects Melanie Calderwood, Academic Advisor Ryan Westman and two graduate assistants provide support to student-athletes along with learning consultants and numerous tutors.
They monitor classroom performance by maintaining contact with faculty, monitoring study halls, facilitating advisement and overseeing compliance with university and NCAA academic regulations.
CHAMPS/Life Skills
In the summer of 1994, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was launched through the NCAA to its membership and Seton Hall continues to expand and improve its programming for all student-athletes. The acronym CHAMPS refers to "Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success." Seton Hall has been a member of the NCAA Champs/Life Skills Program since 1995. This program was developed by the NCAA as a vehicle to address the many facets of student-athletes' lives on college campuses.
The mission of the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the campus educational program and the student-athlete as an integral part of the student body and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the context of higher education. In the process of achieving this mission, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program will:
- Promote student-athletes' ownership of their academic, athletic, career, personal and community responsibilities.
- Meet the changing needs of student-athletes.
- Promote respect for diversity and inclusion among student- athletes.
- Assist student-athletes in identifying and applying transferable skills.
- Foster an environment that encourages student-athletes to effectively access campus resources.
- Encourage the development of character, integrity and leadership skills.
In the summer of 2010 the NCAA Student-Athlete Development and CHAMPS/Life Skills units within the educational affairs department of the NCAA merged to become Student-Athlete Affairs (SAA). This program provides the following comprehensive resources under the Student-Athlete Affairs Life Skills Mission.
Life Skills Mission
To provide life skills support in the areas of academics, athletics, personal development, career development and community service through the distribution of NCAA, BIG EAST Conference and Seton Hall resources. Seton Hall University's Life Skills program will provide on-going educational opportunities to student-athletes to further develop these areas and make our student-athletes into successful leaders of the future.
Athletics Excellence
Seton Hall is committed to excellence in all areas and strives to provide its programs with the resources to succeed on the field of competition. The Department of Athletics will seek out top professionals to serve as coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning specialists who can impart expert knowledge and direction to the student-athletes.
Academic Excellence
Seton Hall provides a comprehensive academic support program for its Student-Athletes. Specifically, the Office of Academic Support Services for Student Athletes provides tutoring, review sessions, study groups and writing development for Seton Hall student-athletes, as well as regular interaction with faculty.
Career Development
Seton Hall provides a comprehensive career development program for its student-athletes in conjunction with The Career Center at Seton Hall University. Components of the program range from resume writing and interviewing techniques, to the graduate school application processes, seminars from business leaders within the Seton Hall community and education on post-graduate scholarship opportunities.
Personal Development
Seton Hall provides several seminars on different personal topics throughout the year. Workshops vary from sports nutrition to hazing prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, and business etiquette.
Community Service
All Seton Hall Student-Athletes take pride in becoming involved in the community surrounding Seton Hall. Some of the continuing programs are the Pen Pal program with St. Francis Xavier School, Learn to Swim programs, The Boys and Girls Club of Newark Christmas Party, Dr. Seuss Day with Leaguers Head Start, visits to the PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital, the Team Walker Toy Drive and a Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge to benefit local soup kitchens. Teams and individuals are encouraged to initiate many programs beyond those listed.
The Coordinator for Student Athlete Development and Leadership is responsible for developing, organizing, and conducting Seton Hall's Life Skills program, which is designed to address the above areas and to enhance student-athlete welfare.
Life Skills workshops and seminars are offered to all student-athletes to assist them in bridging the gap between learning in the classroom, on the playing fields and functioning in the real world. Life Skills programming is based on surveys, conversations with students, suggestions from coaches and administrators, and other opportunities that present themselves. All events are scheduled at times that do not conflict with students' academic responsibilities or athletic commitments.
Life Skills programs are coordinated with academic support staff, faculty, The Career Center, the office of Community Development, counseling services, and other qualified outside parties as appropriate. Feedback is requested from students and appropriate follow-up may be scheduled.
It is expected that each team will have an opportunity to participate in Life Skills programs throughout the year.
SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
Seton Hall's Recent Academic All-Americans
2007
Jen Michewicz, Women's Soccer (First Team)
2006
Matt Miklius, Swimming (First Team)
Caitlin White, Softball (First Team)
2005
Megan Meyer, Softball (First Team)*
Matt Miklius, Swimming (Third Team)
Caitlin White, Softball (First Team)
2004
Jocelyn Dumaresq, Women's Soccer (First Team)
Megan Meyer, Softball (First Team)
2003
Jocelyn Dumaresq, Women's Soccer (Third Team)
2002
Todd Crawford, Baseball (First Team)
Frauke Dittel, Women's Soccer (First Team)
Brigid Sullivan, Women's Soccer (Second Team)
2001
Ingo Dittel, Men's Soccer (Second Team)
Torsten Knor, Men's Soccer (First Team)
Gregory Strohmann, Men's Soccer (First Team)
2000
Gregory Strohmann, Men's Soccer (Third Team)
* - Academic All-American of the Year
STAFF DIRECTORY
| Dr. Laura Schoppman |
| Faculty Athletics Representative |
| (973) 761-5179 |
| laura.schoppman@shu.edu |
| Matt Geibel | | |
| Director of Academic Support Services | | |
| (973) 761-9192 | | |
| matthew.geibel@shu.edu | |
| Amanda Di Donato | | Melanie Calderwood |
| Associate Director of Academic Support Services | | Coordinator/Student-Athlete Development & Special Projects |
| (973) 275-2455 | | (973) 761-9187 |
| amanda.didonato@shu.edu | | melanie.calderwood@shu.edu |
| Ryan Westman |
| Academic Advisor |
| (973) 761-9192 |
| ryan.westman@shu.edu |
| Zachary Romash | | Kaitlyn Rogers |
| Graduate Assistant Academic Advisor | | Graduate Assistant Academic Advisor |
| (973) 761-9274 | | (973) 761-9274 |
| zachary.romash@student.shu.edu | | kaitlyn.rogers@student.shu.edu |
