By Imani Johnson
Staff Writer
There is a reason why the term is “student-athletes.” While every athlete on every college campus, including ours, trains, practices and competes to maximize their athletic potential, they are all, first and foremost, students.
And the California State University, Dominguez Hills Athletic Department provides a great amount of support for every athlete academic success in order for them to also be competitive in the classroom.
“I think there are a lot of misconceptions about student-athletes,” said Lauren Redman, the athletics student success coordinator. “We have a lot of high achieving student-athletes in teams of academics. Our student-athletes work really hard, and in addition to their sport many work, volunteer, hold a leadership position and/or intern. Our athletes really hit the books hard, put a lot of time and effort into studying and being successful.”
Redman, in her second year as the athletics student success coordinator, specializes in providing academic support for student-athletes.
Athletes have a hectic schedule, Redman said, and part of her role is to create structured time for study hall so athletes can complete academic work in the computer lab, as well as solidifying the department’s connection with the Toro Learning and Testing Center.
Adjusting to busy schedules is key, Redman said.
“We have four tutors who come to our department in the evening hours because many of our student-athletes can’t go to the TLTC during regular hours due to practice, class, or traveling,” she said. “This helps our students tremendously since their schedules are so busy when competing in their season.”
In order to be on an athletic team, student-athletes must take a minimum of 12 units, and maintain a current, and cumulative CSUDH GPA of 2.0.
“I work with students to make sure they are on track academically,” Redman said. “I send progress reports to instructors [two times per semester], that information allows me to call students in and discuss how to improve their progress in their classes and connect them to campus resources.”
Redman recently unveiled a new initiative to assist CSUDH athletes academically.
“I recently developed an academic mentor program, and some of our student-athletes will meet with an academic mentor,” she said. “[Mentors] are graduate students from Dominguez Hills and the University of Southern California, who will help students with time management, and organization with every class.”
The department also offers priority registration, allowing them to register before other students. That helps student-athletes who often must adjust their schedule around traveling and competing.
“It’s really important that our student-athletes aren’t missing class because of competition, practice, or travel,” Redman said. “We want them setting their class schedule first then work around that.”
But there is a strict process. Student-athletes must meet with their freshman or major advisor, add classes that work toward their degree, and submit an enrollment plan for approval. Additionally, Redman said, “There are several academic policies that must be followed under the National Collegiate Athletic Association.”
The Athletics Department isn’t alone in realizing how student-athletes need support and encouragement. In March, the Rod Hay and Katherine Fintzy Athletics Academic Success Endowment was announced. Hay, the interim chief of staff in the CSUDH president’s office, and Fintzy, have agreed to match every dollar donated to the athletic department up to $10,000.
Redman said the endowment will allow the department to create and provide new resources to assist student-athlete success in the classroom.
“We are thrilled to utilize these funds to enhance our tutoring and academic mentorship programs while generating new access to academic tools we otherwise could not have,” Redman said on the Athletic Department’s website. “I look forward to seeing our students benefit from greater learning opportunities.”
