Graduation Rates Soar for UMKC's African-American Male Student-Athlete Population
1/25/2019 1:47:00 PM | General, Academic Support, Sports Performance, Administration, Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In recent weeks, UMKC Athletics announced that its NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) vaulted to 91%, which is above the national average of 88%. The figure demonstrates that UMKC Athletics continues to make significant progress towards its primary goal of graduating student-athletes. Part of Athletic Director Dr. Brandon Martin's strategic vision is to foster comprehensive excellence, which includes well-rounded academic programming, high graduation rates, experiential learning opportunities, exposure to post graduate education and the holistic development of UMKC's student-athletes.
Within Dr. Martin's first 100 days, he continues to support the thriving athletic academic unit while working to enhance the unit's resources in the form of funds and staffing levels. Over the past ten years, the Student-Athlete Support Services Office (SASSO) within the Department of Athletics has grown in its programming, focusing both on academics and holistic development, for all of UMKC's 16 programs. The success of SASSO has been illustrated in several points of pride, including boasting a department cumulative GPA of 3.35 and placing 15 of 16 Roo teams at an average GPA above 3.0.
Additionally, several subpopulations of athletes are thriving. UMKC's African-American males are graduating at a rate of 91%, well above the national average of 79%. In the sport of men's basketball, UMKC's Graduation Success Rate for African American males tops off at 100%, while in men's cross country/track and field, the rate for African American males is steady at 83%.
“The ability to guide all levels of student-athletes towards graduation is paramount,” noted Dr. Martin, “UMKC Athletics is a tool towards a robust life experience in which we desire education to become a foundation for all our athletes”.
The academic unit focuses its academic services on the varying level of need of its student-athletes, it does not provide a one-size, fits-all approach. The educational preparedness of student-athletes admitted to the institution are vastly different. Upon entrance to UMKC, the student-athlete's academic profile is assessed, based on multiple factors, and then the type of services and support are designated. Support can range from mentoring, tutoring, and access to SASSO's computer lab to regular meetings with SASSO's Learning Specialist. Each incoming student-athlete is provided highly structured programming that involves weekly curriculum instruction to provide them with the tools to be successful within the setting of higher education. Many athletes retain a high level of support and receive instruction from SASSO throughout their career at UMKC, but because of this level of support, UMKC's athletes graduate, ponder post-graduate education and enter the workforce prepared.
“The key to besting national averages is treating each student-athlete, team, and cohort individually and to providing a variety of support,” said Amelia Howard, Assistant Director of Academic Support.
“Sport provides many student-athletes access to higher education and it is our responsibility to provide them with a variety of tools to be successful from remediation to mentorship to leadership development,” stated Ursula Gurney, Deputy Athletic Director and member of the NCAA's Committee on Academics.
In addition to its educational efforts, SASSO also focuses on the holistic development of UMKC's student-athletes. Providing a well-rounded experience for all student-athletes is also part of Dr. Martin's vision for UMKC. Leadership development and career opportunities are a focus, along with financial literacy and wellness education.
SASSO will continue to forge a path forward for UMKC's student-athletes this spring semester as it evaluates staff levels and services offered to stay on the front lines of support offered to Division I student-athletes.
