NEW ORLEANS — The University of New Orleans has been awarded its first grant from the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP). This program is designed to help Division I schools enhance graduation rates and academic performance.
"We are thrilled to be selected as a recipient of the NCAA's Accelerating Academic Success Program grant," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Tim Duncan.
"The grant will allow New Orleans Athletics to continue to build on the great work our student-athletes have produced over the past five years. I'd like to give a special acknowledgment to the great work of Phil Pinkston, Coach Ashley Preston, and Carol Lunn, associate vice president of Research & Economics, for their collaborative efforts in the submission process, which led to the successful award!"
The grant, totaling $99,400, will be supplemented by an additional $19,880 from the University. These funds will support several key initiatives, including upgrades to the academic center, enhancements to academic support services, and the EmpowHer Privateers program.
In addition, the grant will fund two new initiatives: Students Holistic & Integrative Programming (S.H.I.P) and the New Orleans Athletics Leadership Academy.
S.H.I.P will offer student-athletes resources for financial literacy, wellness, nutrition, mental performance, and counseling within a dedicated self-discovery area.
The Leadership Academy will bring together team leaders from each sport for professional development focused on leadership, emotional intelligence, mental health, and career exploration.
Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services, Phil Pinkston, expressed gratitude for the grant: "We are thankful to the NCAA for supporting New Orleans Athletics and our student-athletes. The S.H.I.P. and Leadership Academy will elevate the support we provide, offering a comprehensive experience that is crucial for our student-athletes' success."
Director of Volleyball and EmpowHer Mentorship Director Ashley Preston also played a key role in developing these initiatives.
Established in 2012, the AASP has awarded over $1 million annually to colleges and universities with limited resources to enhance student-athlete academic success and graduation rates. Each year, a selection committee of member school representatives determines the grant recipients. Eligible schools are those in the Football Championship Subdivision or those that do not sponsor a football program.
In the 2023-24 academic year, Privateer student-athletes achieved an overall GPA of 3.124 across all sports, marking the seventh consecutive semester with a GPA above 3.0.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play, and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @UNOPrivateers on Twitter/X, @UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like /UNOPrivateers on Facebook, and subscribe to the UNOPrivateers YouTube channel.
