A new Student Learning Center is just one of the new features at the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.
The Center focuses on learning strategies and career and professional development.
“We have upgraded our main computer lab, added digital signage and created advisory boards for all our Life skills/student affairs components,” said Kenneth Miles, Executive Director of the CCACSA. “We have expanded our Lifeskills team and emphasized media training, health and wellness, diversity, inclusion and civic engagement as a part of the student-athlete experience.”
The CCACSA addresses personal development and service through the Shaquille O’Neal Lifeskills Program and Student Affairs office and the Summer Academic Success program — a student-athlete orientation program for incoming freshman and transfer students.
Service opportunities can happen in multiple ways — a student-athlete can initiate a request, an outside entity can make a formal request, coaches can initiate a request, and through curriculum.
“The life skills program is a way we can give back to the community,” said Ryan Penn, senior international studies major and track runner. “It’s a great way to serve and interact with the community.”
The CCACSA address personal development through Media Training, Health & Wellness programming, Financial Responsibility sessions, Diversity and Inclusion programming and Civic Engagement opportunities.
“We have established advisory boards for Health and Wellness and Diversity, Inclusion and Civic Engagement,” said Miles.  ”The boards consist of various experts with the LSU community. Their primary function is to share information about the University’s resources and address the needs of our student-athletes.”
 The CCACSA is comprised of an academic affairs team, a student affairs team and an information technology team. Collectively, the purpose is to provide an all-inclusive student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from enrollment through graduation and life beyond.
“Our commitment to the total development of our student-athletes primarily includes four areas: academic development, personal development, service and career development,” said Miles. “We believe that our holistic approach has the potential to naturally develop our student-athlete’s intellectual growth and curiosity.”
The tutoring sessions have no required hours. However, the student-athletes completed more than 2,600 hours last academic year. Along with tutoring sessions, the student-athletes must meet with an advisor once a week to make sure he or she is on track with graduation hours.
Penn and Kelli Owens, sophomore psychology major and track runner, both agreed that the CCACSA has a great impact on their lives as student-athletes.  They called it “a home away from home.”
“Being an athlete, we have to do double the work sometimes,” said Owens. “But having a place to go to get the help you need after practice is a big deal.”
Owens also added that she really appreciates the center because it’s a place where student athletes can just be students sometimes.
“Our education is important to us just like any other student,” said Owens. “Being an athlete adds to the work load but that’s why we have the center to make the load a little lighter.”
A new website has also been launched this past year. For more information about the CCACSA, you can visit www.acsa.LSU.edu.