Academic Support Programs

College Office Academic Advising
Academic advising plays an essential role in the academic success of the student-athletes. Academic advising of KSU student-athletes is conducted in each of the college offices. Student-athletes meet with their college academic advisor a minimum of once per semester to ensure successful course scheduling.

Athletic Academic Counseling
In addition to a college academic advisor, student-athletes are also paired with an Athletic Academic Counselor. Athletic Academic Counselors supplement the college academic advisors, by assisting student-athletes with course registration, major selection and academic mentoring. Athletic Academic Counselors are also responsible for educating student-athletes on the NCAA Academic Eligibility rules and the tracking of progress toward degree. The counselors work closely with student-athletes on athletic class absences, academic concerns, and adjustment.

Athletic Academic Counseling offices are located in the MAC Center, room 117. Student-athletes are assigned to athletic academic counselors by team.

ANGIE HULL
Senior Associate Athletic Director
hull@kent.edu
330-672-4733
Football

AMY DENSEVICH
Associate Athletic Director
adensevi@kent.edu
330-672-2961
Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Golf, Gymnastics

CHELSEA PERRY
Associate Director
cperry20@kent.edu
330-672-5294
Baseball, Football

ALISHA ELLIS
Assistant Director
adellis@kent.edu
330-672-8427
Football, Volleyball, Wrestling

JANA ASHLEY
Athletic Academic Counselor
jashle14@kent.edu
330-672-4730
Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Softball

JILL VANDAMME
Athletic Academic Counselor
jvandamm@kent.edu
330-672-8499
Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country

Priority Registration
All student-athletes listed on a team roster receive priority class registration, which allows them to register for classes prior to the general student population. Priority registration allows student-athletes to schedule coursework around practice and competition times.

Class Attendance and Excused Absences
Student-athletes at KSU are expected to attend their regularly scheduled classes and to be punctual and prepared. Student-athletes who miss courses due to athletic team travel or competition will have communication provided to their professors prior to the absence. With a notification to faculty, student-athletes are permitted to complete all assignments missed as a result of team competition or travel.

Grade Checks
SAAS implements a grade check system to best fit the needs of individual student-athletes. At the midpoint of each term, faculty members are directly contacted to request the student-athletes’ progress in a particular course. Individual test/quiz scores, overall grade and professor comments are collected. Data received undergoes analysis by team athletic academic counselors and coaches and is directly communicated with the student-athletes.

Transitioning and at-risk student-athletes will have grade checks implemented at multiple times throughout each term.

Following each grade check, the athletic academic counselor will meet with each student-athlete to discuss progress and recommend additional academic support services, if needed.

Tutoring
Tutors are on-staff to assist student-athletes in a wide variety of course subjects. All tutors are professionally trained by the Kent State University Academic Success Center to full University certification. Tutoring appointments are scheduled by the student-athlete in the Retain system.

Learning Specialist Program
Learning specialists are on staff to assist students who are in need of additional personal or academic support. Learning specialists work one-on-one with student-athletes to provide study strategies, career counseling and personal development strategies that are unique to each individual. Click here to view learning specialist contact information.

Graduate Academic Internship Program
Graduate Academic Interns are assigned to student-athletes who would benefit from additional academic counseling. Interns meet with their assigned student-athletes a minimum of once per week to review completion of assignments, set goals and determine additional support plans. Academic interns are typically second year graduate students in the higher education administration or sport administration programs at Kent State.

Study Hours
Study hours are assigned to all incoming student-athletes. Most upperclassmen are also assigned required study hours. Study hours are completed in a variety of methods from weekly hours to objective based. Most student-athletes will complete their study hours in the Jenkins Center by clocking in and out with the Retain app. Team study hours are also utilized by certain sports. Free printing is available to all student-athletes when utilizing the Jenkins Center.

NCAA Policies Course
All incoming freshmen are enrolled in NCAA Policy, a one-credit introductory course for new student-athletes. Topics in the course include nutrition for athletics, NIL, diversity, equity and inclusion, compliance education, academic transition and personal branding.

Laptop and Graphing Calculator Program
Laptops and graphing calculators are available for check-out for student-athletes traveling or for temporary use.

Summer School Aid Program
Student-athletes who are receiving athletics grant-in-aid throughout the academic year are eligible to apply for summer athletic aid. Summer school assistance is not a guarantee. All summer school applications are reviewed by the team athletic academic counselor, head coach and sport supervisor.

Fifth Year Aid Program
Student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility, but have not yet completed their undergraduate degree may apply for fifth year aid. Applications for summer athletic aid are due by March 1, fall and spring aid applications are due by April 1. Fifth year aid disbursement is determined by student need and available funding.

Life After Sport Course
Life After Sport is a one-credit, upper-division course offered to graduating senior student-athletes. The course content prepares student-athletes for their transition out of athletics and into their careers. Topics include retirement from sport, resume building and interviewing skills.

Kent State University Athletics

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