Winner of the 2020 National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals Model Practice Award.
Applications for the 2025-26 cohort are closed.
The goal of the Florida State Student-Athlete Academic Services Staff Academic Fellows program is to train and develop individuals for a career in the profession of student athlete academic support.
Fellows participate in a rigorous training program designed to build and enhance the foundational knowledge base and skills necessary to allow the fellow to step into a full time position in the profession and be equipped to function at a high level of proficiency.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities will be working with assigned advisors to coordinate academic enhancement support for individual student athletes and teams.
Secondary responsibilities will include working with all components of the Student Athlete Academic Services program including academic mentoring, educational services, class checking, study hall monitoring, tutoring services, and others duties as allocated.
Testimonials
The Florida State University Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) Academic Fellowship was a transformative experience that shaped my career in academic support for student-athletes. Through this program, I had the unique opportunity to manage my own caseload of student-athletes, providing direct academic support and guidance. This hands-on experience allowed me to develop meaningful relationships, tailor support plans to meet individual needs, and witness firsthand the impact of effective academic support. In addition to working directly with student-athletes, I gained valuable experience participating in recruiting visits and coaches’ meetings. These opportunities gave me a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative efforts required to support student-athletes holistically, from academics to athletics. I learned how to effectively communicate with key stakeholders, advocate for students’ academic needs, and contribute to a team dedicated to their success both in and out of the classroom. The SAAS Academic Fellowship not only equipped me with the professional skills necessary for a career in academic support but also instilled in me a deep passion for empowering student-athletes to reach their full potential. I am grateful for the mentorship, training, and opportunities I received, and I carry the lessons I learned at Florida State University into every aspect of my professional journey.
Diamond Brown, MEd
Assistant Athletics Director for Football Academics
Univeristy of Washington
The program at Florida State University was instrumental in shaping my career in athletic academic advising. It provided me with invaluable experience at a top-tier institution known for its successful athletic department and outstanding academic support. The hands-on opportunities in areas like academic mentoring, eligibility compliance, and progress monitoring gave me the skills and confidence to excel in this field. The knowledgeable and supportive staff ensured I left the program prepared and polished for full-time opportunities. Additionally, the program expanded my professional network and laid the foundation for long-term success in my career.
Isaac Rodriguez, MS
Associate Director of Academic Services
University of Tennessee
The Student-Athlete Academic Support Fellowship at Florida State helped prepare and propel me into a career in college athletics. I was given the necessary training and knowledge to build my skills in advising, monitoring NCAA benchmarks, providing individualized academic support, public speaking, and interviewing. Because of the experienced staff, I was able to grow my professional network internally with SAAS and externally through other professional development opportunities (NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar). The reputation of this elite fellowship program exceeded the high expectations I already set before my first day. Becoming an academic fellow in SAAS at Florida State was the best decision I could have made as a young professional.
Kayla Hughes, MS
Tutorial Coordinator/Learning Specialist
Florida State University
For more information, please contact saas@fsu.edu.