Communications

Scholar-Athlete: Academic Services Drives Student Success in USF Athletics

 

 

At the University of South Florida, student-athletes are known for their competitive drive. Behind the scenes, Academic Services, Athletics ensures that same drive translates into success in the classroom.

Academic Services supports nearly 500 student-athletes across all sports. The team works closely with campus partners, including International Services, colleges and major advisors, to help students navigate the academic experience while meeting the additional requirements that come with Division I competition.

“We’re another piece of academic services,” said Kelli Hinton, the new Director of Academic Services, Athletics. “Our student-athletes are still students first. They’re just a special population with additional eligibility requirements, and we’re here to help them meet those.”

Academic Services operates with a staff of 13, including academic coordinators, learning specialists and assistant directors. Coordinators are assigned by sport and maintain an open-door policy, often meeting weekly with first-year students. In addition to traditional advising, the team monitors progress-toward-degree requirements tied to NCAA eligibility. That means ensuring courses not only count toward graduation but also meet percentage benchmarks and sport-specific standards required for competition.

Learning specialists provide more individualized academic support, focusing on time management, study strategies and foundational skill-building. They oversee a robust peer network of approximately 40 tutors and nine student mentors each semester. The department also hosts a Summer Bridge program for many incoming freshmen, helping them acclimate to the pace and expectations of being a Division I student-athlete before the fall semester begins.

The results reflect the department’s intentional approach. USF student-athletes have earned the highest ever cumulative department GPA of 3.38, with a recent semester GPA of 3.52 marking the 22nd consecutive semester with all teams achieving at least a 3.0. More than 430 student-athletes were named to the Athletics Honor Roll last term. The Graduation Success Rate now stands at 91 percent, an increase from the previous year, and Academic Progress Rate scores across teams remain well above required thresholds.

This year also marks a new chapter for USF Athletics with the hiring of a Chief Executive Officer to oversee the enterprise. The addition of a CEO model signals a forward-looking vision for the university’s athletics program—one that elevates operational leadership while reinforcing the importance of academic excellence.

For Hinton, who brings experience from multiple institutions, collaboration is key. She regularly connects with colleagues across campus and within the American Athletic Conference to share best practices and navigate evolving policies, including the impact of the transfer portal and eligibility changes.

“Our industry is unique,” Hinton said. “People may not always know exactly what we do, but we know the impact it has. We’re here to help student-athletes graduate, prepare for what’s next and make the most of their college experience.”

Through intentional advising, strategic course planning and holistic support, Academic Services, Athletics continues to ensure that Bulls compete and graduate at the highest level.