Academic Advising
Each semester, student-athletes meet with an Academic Advisor for Student-Athletes to discuss major selection and degree completion as well as schedule courses for the upcoming semester. This process requires a partnership between the advisor and the student-athlete to ensure student-athletes continually make timely progress toward graduation.
Academic Counseling
Through weekly or bi-monthly meetings, Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes provide academic counseling to student-athletes. Academic counseling includes, but is not limited to, discussion of academic progress (including recent assignments, projects, and exams), upcoming academic work, evaluation of study skills, and preparedness for travel. Advisors also assist in helping new student-athletes make the transition from high school to college while adjusting to and handling the demands of a stressful academic and athletic schedule.
Academic Monitoring
Through various forms of communication with professors, including telephone calls, emails, and grade reports, Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes monitor the grades and academic progress of student-athletes on their respective teams.
Academic Success Workshops
The Norma J. Clayton ’81 Learning Center conducts academic success workshops and seminars during the Fall and Spring semesters. These workshops focus on strategies to improve students' study skills, test preparation and time management capabilities. Trained staff members facilitate these seminars which are open to all NJIT students.
Career and Major Exploration
Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes assist student-athletes in preparing for future careers. Through academic advising, weekly meetings, and general conversations, Advisors help student-athletes match desired careers with majors and refer student-athletes to other campus resources such as Career Development Services to assist in preparing for life after college.
Disability Services
Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes work closely with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services to enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities at NJIT. OARS is committed to promoting accessibility, inclusivity and awareness as a resource to all of campus as well as providing reasonable accommodations and support services for students with disabilities.
Exam Accommodation
In the event that an exam conflicts with a student-athlete’s game or travel schedule, the student-athlete and their respective Athletic Advisor will work in conjunction with the professor or academic department to provide exam accommodations.
Study Hall
Select student-athletes, including all first years, undergraduate transfers, and others designated by their coaches, administration or advisors, are required to participate in the study hall program. Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes proactively monitor student-athletes in the study hall program which is designed to provide student-athletes with an avenue to study in a learning-centered environment. Study hall takes place in the Kalafer Family Academic Learning Studio where student-athletes can utilize computers, study carrels, and tutoring services if necessary.
Travel Letters
Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes ensure that student-athletes receive and provide professors with a physical travel letter at the start of each semester. Providing faculty with a travel letter at the beginning of the semester allows each student-athlete to engage in a conversation with his or her professors about travel dates that may conflict with exams, assignments, or other course requirements. Travel letters assist student-athletes in developing reliable communication with faculty regarding one’s participation in athletics. Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes follow up with faculty as needed regarding student-athlete travel or other extenuating circumstances.
Tutoring Program
The Assistant Director of The Norma J. Clayton ‘81 Learning Center also serves as the coordinator of the tutoring program. The tutoring program is extremely active in helping provide student-athletes with additional academic assistance as needed. Successful undergraduate students and graduate students serve as tutors in a variety of academic subjects ranging from Math, Computer Science to Chemistry and Physics. Tutor sessions are scheduled throughout the day and early evenings. Most often, student-athletes meet with tutors in one-on-one meetings, but at times, student-athletes may meet with tutors in small group settings. Tutor sessions serve as additional explanation of course material, not as a supplement for class attendance.
Weekly Meetings
Academic Advisors for Student-Athletes meet weekly with first year and undergraduate transfer student-athletes as well as those student-athletes deemed “at risk” to discuss academic progress (including recent assignments, projects, and exams), upcoming academic work, evaluation of study skills, and preparedness for travel.
Additional Responsibilities of Athletic Academic Advisors:
- Meet with professors, advisors, or other campus personnel as necessary.
- Work with professors if problems arise with student-athlete academic performance.
- Report academic progress and study hall performance to coaches on an as needed basis.
- Assist coaches in recruiting by meeting with prospective student-athletes and their families.
