Life Skills Program
Through the efforts of the NCAA Foundation and the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was created. The acronym CHAMPS refers to "Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success." In the summer of 1994, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program was launched through the NCAA to its membership and SMU continues to expand and improve its programming for all student-athletes.
The mission of the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the campus educational program and the student-athlete as an integral part of the student body and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the context of higher education. In the process of achieving this mission, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program will:
- Promote student-athletes' ownership of their academic, athletic, career, personal and community responsibilities.
- Meet the changing needs of student-athletes.
- Promote respect for diversity and inclusion among student- athletes.
- Assist student-athletes in identifying and applying transferable skills.
- Foster an environment that encourages student athletes to effectively access campus resources.
- Encourage the development of character, integrity and leadership skills.
In the summer of 2010 the NCAA Student-Athlete Development and CHAMPS/Life Skills units within the educational affairs department of the NCAA merged to become Student-Athlete Affairs (SAA). This program provides the following comprehensive resources under the Student-Athlete Affairs Life Skills Mission.
Life Skills Mission
To provide life skills support in the areas of academics, athletics, personal development, career development and community service through the distribution of NCAA, Conference USA and SMU resources. Southern Methodist University's Life Skills program will provide on-going educational opportunities to student-athletes to further develop these areas and make our student-athletes into successful leaders of the future.
Academic Excellence
SMU provides a comprehensive academic support program for its Student-Athletes. Specifically, the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC) in coordination with the Center for the Development of Student-Athletes provides tutoring, review sessions, study groups and writing critique for SMU student-athletes.
Career Development
SMU provides a comprehensive Career Development Program for its Student-Athletes. Components of the program range from resume writing and interviewing techniques, to the graduate school application processes, seminars from business leaders within the Dallas community and education on post-graduate scholarship opportunities.
Personal Development
SMU provides several seminars on different personal topics throughout the year. Topics vary from sports nutrition to Hazing prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, and self-defense instruction.
Community Service
All SMU Student-Athletes are invited to participate in annual-SAAC-supported-community-service events such as Get Kidz Fit, mentoring programs, Conference USA's Changing Lives initiative as well as individual and team driven events.
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