At Shawnee State University, the Student Success Center is doing more than offering a quiet place for study tables. It is becoming a hub where student-athletes can find academic guidance, personal support and a sense of community.
Heather Cantrell, assistant director of advising and academic resources, said that many athletes don’t realize the range of services available to them beyond academics.
“We’re more than just the study table area,” Cantrell said. “We offer advising and student success coaching to help students navigate college experiences – and it doesn’t have to be just about classes.”
Athletes frequently use the center’s study areas and computer lab, but the staff’s mission goes further. Cantrell said the main goal is to help all students become self-sufficient and confident as they move through college.
“We are here to support students academically and socially,” she said. “We host events that promote inclusion and community, and we encourage everyone to come in and ask for help when they need it.”
The SSC also works closely with the athletics department by managing study table check-ins, coordinating CLEP testing and offering a place for athletes to decompress.
Cantrell said several student-athletes stop by the center simply to relax or take a mental break from their schedules.
“We have an open-door policy,” she said. “Whether it is for studying, testing or just to hang out, we’re always here to help.”
For Shawnee State athletes balancing practices, games and classes, the Student Success Center provides more than academic support, it offers a space to succeed in all aspects of college life.
