Academics
Academics in the athletic department are of utmost importance at Northern Arizona University. The academic services are under the direction of Assistant Athletic Director for Academics Pam Lowie and offer numerous programs to help the student-athletes throughout their academic careers.
The results have been impressive, as NAU student-athletes acheived a cumulative GPA of 3.12 during the fall semester of 2012, which was the 17th semester in the last 18 overall with a cumulative GPA above 3.0. During the 2011-12 academic year, the Lumberjacks garnered 174 Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Awards. Forty-eight student-athletes graduated in spring 2012, which was the second largest graduating class in the history of the athletics department only behind the spring 2011 graduating class. In all, 67 student-athletes graduated during the 2011-12 year.
Five men’s tennis players earned Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Awards in 2011-12. (From left to right) Shaun Waters, Steven Say, Josh Levinson, Ben Lantz, Chris Fasulo, Director of Tennis Kim Bruno. Lantz also earned Big Sky All-Academic honors.
MISSION NAU Athletics’ Academic Services department strives to provide quality academic services that will enhance the student-athletes’ total educational experience and encourage graduation within four years. Lumberjack Academics has the following programs in place for student-athletes: PROACTIVE MENTORING Each year approximately 30-50 first year student-athletes will be selected to participate in NAU’s ProActive Mentor program which targets students who Lumberjack Academics believes may benefit from academic mentoring. Student-athletes are selected based on incoming GPAs/test scores and coaches recommendations. Student-athletes are expected to attend a weekly meeting with their as-
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signed academic graduate assistant as well as with their respective coach, and to report on their progress in each class. STUDY HALL First year student-athletes (including transfer student-athletes) are required to complete 6-8 hours of study time beginning with the second week of classes through Reading Week. The 6-8 hours consist of scheduled times a monitor will be available and may also include tutoring by the Learning Assistance Centers, organized study groups facilitated by tutors, graduate assistants or faculty from the academic colleges and other academic-related activities that are approved by the Athletics Academic Department Staff. ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT All first year freshman student-athletes are assigned to an academic advisor at the Gateway Student Success Center (GSSC). After the student-athletes’ first year, they will be assigned to a college advisor if they have declared a major while those who are undecided will remain assigned to a GSSC advisor. Student-athletes must declare a major before entering their 5th semester. Academic Coordinators are available for pre-advisement to make sure all NCAA/ NAU policies and procedures are being followed. TUTORING SERVICES Tutoring services for all student-athletes are provided through the North and South Learning Assistance Centers. Student-athletes are given the option to utilize the master schedule which allows them to schedule set tutoring appointments for twice a week per subject throughout the academic semester. Student-athletes may also take advantage of the drop in services and make appointments on an as-needed basis.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S HONOR ROLL Student-athletes on a current roster who achieve a 3.5 cumulative GPA qualify for the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. The student-athletes are recognized at a designated spring men’s basketball game. GOLDEN EAGLE SCHOLAR ATHLETES Student-athletes who have achieved a 3.0 Cum GPA are honored at the Golden Eagle Scholar Athlete Banquet in the spring. Student-athletes are presented a plaque to recognize their achievement.
Five women’s tennis players earned Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Awards in 2011-12. (From left to right) Alice Walker, Johanna Vang, Hannah Stone, Alice Pacaut, Nicole Perez, Director of Tennis Kim Bruno. Vang and Stone also earned Big Sky All-Academic honors.
BIG SKY CONF. SCHOLAR ATHLETES Student-athletes who have completed at least one term at the University, achieved a 3.2 Cumulative GPA and competed in 50% of the team’s athletic competitions are eligible for the Big Sky Conference Scholar Athlete Award.
EARLY ENROLLMENT Student-athletes are afforded the opportunity to participate in priority registration which enables the student-athletes to accommodate practice schedules while continuing to make progress towards graduation. The student-athletes are grouped with seniors and honor students for registration. In order to utilize priority registration, student-athletes must have all holds cleared from their account and meet with their academic advisor for advisement and activation. PROGRESS REPORTS All student-athletes will have progress reports completed once a semester. Student-athletes who receive a “D” or “F” on a progress report will be required to complete an Action Plan with the faculty for the course in which the “D” or “F” was received.
Robin Pezzutto was one of 13 student-athletes to participate in the fall 2012 commencement ceremonies.
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