What is the Life Skills program?
NCAA Life Skills is a well-known collaboration between the national office, member institutions and conference offices.  It is committed to the total development of student-athletes, preparing them with "life skills" that are useful throughout the college experience and after graduation.  This program is currently modeled after the “Total Person Project” established by Dr. Homer Rice, longtime athletics director at Georgia Institute of Technology. The project stemmed from Dr. Rice’s belief that excellence is a result of a balanced life.  This balance includes academic achievement, athletic success and personal well-being. These traits are core values that Life Skills administrators across the country bring to their everyday interaction with student-athletes.  
MISSION
The mission of the Braves Life Skills program is to develop and prepare student-athletes for success while in college and for life after college by utilizing academic, athletic and community resources.  We aim to enhance the quality of life in the student-athlete experience by fostering the development of the whole person.
We offer programming opportunities in the following areas:

• Academic Excellence
• Athletic Excellence
• Career Development
• Community Engagement
• Personal Development

 
FOCUS
CHARACTER, COMMUNITY & CAREER
 
LEADERSHIP
STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Braves Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of two or more leaders from each Alcorn State Athletic team.  Meetings are held once a month. Braves SAAC discusses issues of interest and possible solutions pertaining to academics, athletic, and student-athlete personal wellness at Alcorn State University. Additionally, SAAC coordinates several Brave Cup activities promoting community service, career development, personal development, athletic excellence and academic excellence events throughout the year. Braves SAAC is in communication with the Athletic Director’s office, Southwester Western Athletic Conference office and the NCAA in regards to rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athlete experiences.
 
SAAC Officers
Fred Galloway (Men’s Track), President
Taylor Sciven (Volleyball), Vice-President
Myquis Levels-Morgans (Women’s Track), Secretary
Ms. Michelle Harper, SAAC Advisor
 
Braves SAAC Mission
To challenge our student-athletes to develop championship character and execute championship performance through excellence in attitude, academics and athletics while fostering an atmosphere of team unity, community outreach, career development, leadership, sportsmanship and university pride.
 
LEADERSHIP EDUCATION
Leadership development is provided through a variety of group workshops and individualized education opportunities. Through various programming, student-athletes learn and apply theories that are necessary to be successful leaders in today’s society.  Leadership development is designed to provide student-athletes with a holistic leadership experience.
 
DEVELOPMENT
Freshmen Transition
Incoming freshmen student-athletes enroll in a college course that provides them with self-awareness, skill set, and confidence necessary to navigate the academic, athletic and social transition from high school to the world of the collegiate student-athlete. Student-athletes examine their personal values, measure their athletic identity and establish goals that will help them create a game plan for success both on and off the playing fields. They receive skills that assist them with navigating the classroom, communicating with coaches and teammates, mentally preparing for practice and competition and managing time. Additional topics include the transition experiences of international and transfer student-athletes, mental health awareness and healthy decision-making.
 
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Student-athletes develop skills through competition and the classroom that make them marketable to employers.  The Life Skills program will facilitate workshops that assist student-athletes with the exploration and development of their career options.  In collaboration with Alcorn’s Career Service department we focus on areas that included but are not limited to:

• Career Counseling:
• Career Fairs
• Graduate School
• Internship Opportunities
• Interviewing & Networking Skills
• Resume & Cover Letter Writing Seminars

 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Student-athletes have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community.  In coordination with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, student-athletes are encouraged to spend ample time volunteering and giving back to the community.  Not only do our student-athletes learn the value of service and outreach, but they also learn that through giving; they truly receive.  Community engagement helps student-athletes grown in the following areas:

• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills

 
It also allows student-athletes to value the surrounding community and have a feeling of belonging within this community.  In partnership with local elementary schools within the area student-athletes invest their time for the benefit of others.
 
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Personal Development is an integral part of the balancing act that student-athletes require.  With Life Skills programming we strive to provide all of our student-athletes with the opportunities to learn, develop and reach their full potential by nurturing their growths.
 
EVENTS
Student-athletes are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on different workshops hosted by the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement.  The department plans annual recognition events for student-athletes that include:

• Student-Athlete of the Month
  Student-Athlete of the Month honorees are nominated by faculty, staff, coaches, and athletic administration based on the five pillars of the Life Skills program.
• National Student-Athlete Day
  National Student-Athlete Day is generally recognized on April 6 nationwide; however, can be celebrated the entire month of April. The day recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the playing fields and who give back to their community through service projects.
• Breakfast of Champions (Academic Honors Program)
  Sponsored by Allstate, this event is to honor scholar student-athletes who have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average.
• Graduation Breakfast
  This annual graduation breakfast is to recognize all graduating student-athletes.
• Chi Alpha Sigma Ceremony
  This annual ceremony is to recognize college student-athletes who have earned a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.  

 
ANNUAL WORKSHOPS:

• Fall Kick-off
  During the first week of school in the Fall semester, the Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement coordinates orientation for student-athletes to celebrate past achievements and expectations for the upcoming year.
• Health and Nutrition Clinic
  Student-athletes participate in programming designed to raise awareness and encourage discussions about mental health issues.
• Passport to Success
  Student-athletes participate in a variety of areas such as mentorship, coaching and other campus connections to achieve their academic goals.
• Declare Your Major Day
  This day is designed to celebrate freshmen and sophomores on taking charge of their academic career path.
• Career Planning
  Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include but are not limited to, career advising, resume workshops, dressing for success and networking opportunities.
• Money Management
  Comprehensive programming is provided in areas that include but are not limited to, banking, budgeting, savings and investing.
• Social Media Training
  This program is designed to create awareness and enhance knowledge to student-athletes and ensure they “THINK” while using social media.
• Healthy Decision Making
  This program is to educate, inform and assist students with responsible decision making strategies regarding sexual health and sexual responsibility (i.e. consent).
• Drug and Alcohol Awareness
  Drug and Alcohol education is yearly programming designed to educate and inform student-athletes about the consequences of drugs and alcohol abuse.
• Diversity & Inclusion
  This program is aimed at increasing student-athletes’ cultural awareness, knowledge and skills to improve the overall team climate, reduce conflict and enhance teamwork. 
• Stress Management
  This program allows student-athletes to manage the pressures and balance life as a student-athlete.

 
BRAVES CUP CHALLENGE
The Brave Cup Competition puts teams against one another to compete and earn points within the five Brave Pillars of Success: Academic, Athletics, Career, Community and Personal.  Student-athletes earn points for their respective teams through their participation and attendance at events within each category.
 
The team that accumulates the greatest number of points is pronounced the winner prior to the end of the school year. While the events promote the spirit of competition, the ultimate goal is to encourage student-athletes to take advantage of the many resources and programs that are available to them as well as inspiring student-athlete camaraderie across all sports.