N4A Scheduling

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The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Professionals (N4A) has supported student-athletes since its establishment in 1975 (Strook, 2018). The N4A, along with the National Association of Academics, is a community of professionals who are deeply committed to the academic and personal development of student-athletes, preparing them for success (NACDA). At its first Introductory Meeting, the N4A proposed that athletic advisers play a crucial role in maintaining athletic eligibility and achieving higher graduation rates with their college athletes (Petitpas, Albert J et al.1995). Their mission is to help student-athletes academically and personally (NACDA, 2018). The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) mandates that …show more content…

This can be particularly challenging due to the demanding schedules of student-athletes, which often include training, competitions, and travel. Scheduling was the tricky part about advising, Dr. Kuhn stated. According to research, some challenges that advisors face are coaches' commitment, demanding schedules, and a lack of academic devotion (Academy, 2011; Watson, 2005). These challenges can make it difficult for advisors to find suitable times for educational support and tutoring sessions. After COVID-19, students were granted an extra year of eligibility, which resulted in student-athletes staying. This further complicated scheduling, as advisors had to accommodate this additional year in their academic plans. Developing a Plan for Success Athletic academic advisors must guide and support student-athletes throughout their college career (N4A, 2013). Developing a plan for each student athlete's academic success is vital to their overall success in college. "The best way to develop a plan for a student-athlete is to take a holistic approach (Kuhn, A Personal Communication 2024). Student involvement and integration within the campus should matter to professionals in higher education because they can negatively or positively impact a student's experience (Garndy, Lough, Miller, 2016; Tinto, 1997). As an academic advisor, one must know the student-athletes strengths and weaknesses. An idea of what a student-athlete wants to accomplish makes it easier for an academic advisor to do their job. Advisors can create individualized plans based on their needs and goals. Athletic-academic support services are generally utilized to help student-athletes manage college athletic and academic demands (Jordan & Denson, 1990; Judge et al., 2018). Kuhn (2024): "I believe it is important as an advisor to have regular check-ins and adjustments to the plan to ensure

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