Academic Excellence

The Holcomb Success Center offers Southeast Missouri student-athletes a place to study and develop as students and campus leaders.

It is located in the Student Recreation Center, just south of Houck Field. The Holcomb Success Center offers a computer lab with 18 work terminals, study areas and rooms for group meetings. The facility houses the Southeast Academic Services staff and main weight room for Redhawk student-athletes.

The beautiful facility has enhanced the outstanding work in the classroom already enjoyed by SEMO student-athletes.

Athletics achieved a 3.23 departmental GPA for the 202021 academic year. A total of 67 student-athletes graduated and 14 of SEMO’s 15 sports finished with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. There were 146 student-athletes on the President’s List, including 78 in the fall and 68 in the spring. Additionally, 122 student-athletes made the Dean’s List in the fall and 105 student-athletes earned that distinction during the spring.

Women’s soccer (3.80) had the Department of Athletics’ highest GPA in the fall and women’s tennis (3.82) boasted the department’s highest GPA in the spring. Women’s soccer led the Department of Athletics with a 3.79 cumulative GPA during the 2020-21 academic year.

Maja Lundell (women’s tennis) was one of five undergraduate students to receive the 2020-21 President’s Spirit of Southeast Award. Lundell (4.0 GPA) was also the recipient of the Trombetta Award which is given to a graduating female student-athlete with the highest GPA for her career.

Morgan McCourt (women’s soccer) received the Department of Economics’ Outstanding Overall Student Award from the Southeast Missouri State University Harrison College of Business.

Kate Daus (women’s soccer) was awarded the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Communication Studies Public Advocacy Award and Trevor Falco (cross country/ track & field, 3.80 GPA) received the Jewel Award. The Jewel Award is given each year to a male senior athlete with the highest GPA for his career.

Tutors are available for all student-athletes as needed. In addition, both attendance and academic progress is monitored through regular checks with faculty.

A special course is required for all first time student-athletes at SEMO. The course, which offers three credit hours, is part of a comprehensive program developed to address study skills and life skills topics, and thus, enhance retention and academic success for student-athletes.

Entering student-athletes are evaluated for academic preparedness and assigned to appropriate categories. Student-athletes can also receive individualized academic programs which include meeting with a mentor bi-weekly to discuss academic progress.

The Holcomb Success Center staff works to get athletes involved in campus and community projects, as well. This is done to provide a support structure and greater opportunity for academic success. Through the NCAA’s CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, the Holcomb Success Center gives student-athletes personal and professional skills in order to facilitate successful and productive futures.