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ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Old Dominion University Academics

  • Academic Support Mission Statement- "The mission of the Jacobson Athletic Academic Center is to assist with recruitment, retention, and graduation while providing resources to enhance the academic, personal, and professional develop of ODU student-athletes."

Athletic Academic Staff

  • Director of Athletic Academic Services- April Brecht (Men's Basketball, M/W Tennis, and M/W Sailing)
    • Academic Advisor- Lori Friel (Football, Field Hockey)
    • Academic Advisor- Ricardo Sanon (Wrestling, Women's Lacrosse, Rowing, and Men's Soccer)
    • Academic Advisor- Meredith Mccall (Women's Basketball, M/W Swimming and Diving, M/W Golf, Baseball)
    • Educational and Athletic Support Specialist- Adela Roxas (All Sports)
  • Academic Support Assistants
    • Aisha Mccollum
    • Colleen Farrell

Academic Services- Old Dominion University and Jacobson Athletic Academic Center staff works hard to provide educational support and guidance to ensure academic success and graduation to all student-athletes.

  • Academic Advising- ODU sports teams are assigned an academic advisor from the academic support staff. From the first arrival of each student-athlete onto ODU campus until graduation, the support staff assists student-athletes with registration, class schedules, and understanding of NCAA, CAA, and university's academic rules. In addition, the academic advisors monitor academic progress to keep athletes current with progress toward degree requirements and continuing eligibility.
GradesFirst is student support system used by the Jacobson Athletic Academic Center student-athletes to check study hall hours, request appointment and communicate with advisors, request tutor appointments. The advising staff utilizes GradesFirst to send and receive progress reports to professors, tracking student-athlete improvements and advising services.

To access this account, Click Here

  • Tutorial Services- Academic tutors are available to all student-athletes free of charge. If a student-athlete would like some assistance with a particular class, he/she should contact the Jacobson Athletic Academic Center. A tutor can be assigned and scheduled to meet your times demands. All student-athletes are strongly encouraged to use the tutors which they are given.
    • Tutor Application
    • Tutor Request Form

    HOW TO REQUEST A TUTOR VIA GRADESFIRST:

    1. Log into GradesFirst
    2. Input username and password
    3. Go to "Class Info" at top of the page
    4. Select "Request tutor"
    5. Input preferred days and time (provide at least 3 availabilities)
    6. Click "Select tutor request"
    For any questions or concerns please contact Colleen Farrell (cfarrell@odu.edu).

  • Mentoring- To assist in transitioning student-athletes, freshmen, and transfer, student-athletes meet weekly with mentors. Mentors collect class syllabi, help with students with time management skills, gather and report academic progress, and teach academic success strategies.
  • Disability Services- Athletic advisors work closely with the Office of Educational Accessibility. Adela Roxas works closely with the student-athletes to coordinate academic programs for those who may need additional support.
  • Study Hall- Study sessions will be required for freshmen and transfer student-athletes, as well as upperclassmen below a 2.30 cumulative GPA. All-student-athletes are encouraged to participate in regular study sessions. Study hall provides student-athletes with a structured learning environment to enhance the student-athlete's study and class preparation. Attendance reports are submitted to each coach. Athletic advisors and proctors monitor student-athletes in study hall. The study room seats ninety student-athletes, has 3 secluded tutor rooms, 10 desktop computers, and wireless internet.
    • Building Hours:
      • Monday through Thursday- 8am-9pm
      • Friday- 8am-12pm
      • Sunday- 5pm-7pm (All student-athletes)7pm-9pm(Football Only)
  • Loaner Program- Laptops, voice recorders, and calculators are available for student-athletes to check out. Student-athletes must contact the Jacobson Athletic Academic Center two days in advance in order to reserve equipment. The laptops may be checked out for a maximum of three days, with the exception of team travel that covers more than three days. Those teams in season will have priority for use of the laptops. A contract must be signed in order to check out equipment. Failure to return equipment by the assigned date will result in a hold placed on your account.

Future Student-Athletes

Current Student-Athletes

ODU Honor Code- We, the students of Old Dominion University, aspire to be honest and forthright in our academic endeavors. Therefore, we will practice honesty and integrity and be guided by the tenants of the Monarch Creed. We will meet the challenges to be beyond reproach in our actions and our words. WE will conduct ourselves in a manner that commands dignity and respect that we also give to others.

Student Athlete Affairs/ Life Skills- Old Dominion University is proud to be a part of the NCAA Student-Athlete Affairs (SAA) Programs. The NCAA has developed a life skills program for student-athletes to help them bridge the gap from college to career and in the process make meaningful contributions to their communities. The mission of the SAA Program is to provide life skills support in the areas of academics, athletics, personal development, career development and service through the distribution of accessible resources, strategic partnerships and customized programming. Through specific programs, SAA works to meet student-athletes changing needs while in college and in the years after graduation as well as to promote the well-being and development of student-athletes.

  • Commitment to Academic Excellence
  • Commitment to Athletic Excellence
  • Commitment to Personal Development
  • Commitment to Career Development
  • Commitment to Service and Leadership
    • Monarch Crown Challenge- Being involved with SAAC, community service, and pre-selected games teams will gain points throughout the academic year. Attendance will count as points toward Monarch Cup. The winner will be "Crowned" at the Athletic Honors Banquet. Team will receive Crown trophy to display in team facility for the following year. A plaque will be displayed in the Jacobson Center with each year's winners.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)- The SAAC is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. It serves as a voice for student-athletes to address issues common to all teams. The committee provides a forum for student-athletes to address concerns with administrators to improve the student-athlete experience.

  • Functions of ODU SAAC:
    • Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
    • Disseminate information.
    • Provide feedback and insight into department of athletics issues
    • Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletic teams.
    • Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
    • Organize community service efforts.