Long Beach State One Of 17 Schools To Receive NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program Grant
10/9/2024 10:00:00 AM | General
Long Beach State will receive $100,000 in support of student-athlete academic programs.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The NCAA has announced the recipients of the Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) grants for the 2024-25 year, and Long Beach State was one of the 17 programs selected, receiving the full amount of $100,000 dedicated to improvements for student-athlete academic support. Long Beach State was the only school west of Texas to be selected.
Established in 2012, the program awards over $1 million annually to Division I colleges and universities that meet grant qualifications for the support of their academic initiatives to help increase the graduation rates of student-athletes. The AASP grants are an example of how the NCAA and its member schools invest in academic support and success of student-athletes.
A selection committee composed of representatives from past AASP NCAA member colleges and universities reviews the grant applications and awards the funding annually. To be eligible for AASP grants, schools must be identified as having limited resources based on research data and must either be in the Football Championship Subdivision or not sponsor a football program. Schools may request up to $100,000 and are required to match at least 20% of the awarded amount.
"We are thrilled to receive the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program Grant, which will provide essential support for the holistic development of our student-athletes," said Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran. "At Long Beach State, we are committed to ensuring that our student-athletes are not only 'Long Beach Built' but also prepared to succeed in their personal and professional lives. This grant enables us to continue providing our student-athletes with the resources they need to achieve their dreams, ensuring they have the support to thrive in their academic pursuits, personal development, and athletic careers."
Long Beach State's proposal presented a detailed plan which identified three major areas which will receive support through the grant: the BeACHampion program, Enhancing the Bickerstaff Academic Center (BAC) and an Investment in Technology and Community.
The BeAChampion program at Long Beach State University is a comprehensive four-year development initiative designed to ensure student-athletes are holistically supported throughout their time at LBSU. The program focuses on enhancing life skills, career readiness, and overall well-being through a series of structured courses and activities tailored to each academic year.
The program launched in 2022 and in the 2024-25 academic year, two programs, one for freshman and one for seniors will be offered. Grant funds will help support the development of curriculum for sophomores and juniors over the current year, with a goal of offering both courses in 2025-26 and ensuring a continuous and comprehensive developmental experience for all student-athletes at Long Beach State.
The Bickerstaff Academic Center (BAC) is the main advising hub for NCAA Division I student-athletes from 19 teams. Dedicated to their academic, personal, and professional growth, the BAC provides comprehensive support, including academic counseling, guidance on general education courses, career planning, and specialized programs like the Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP) and a mentoring program for at-risk students. Additionally, the BAC runs an in-house tutoring program tailored to the unique needs and schedules of student-athletes, complementing the university's tutoring services.
Renovating and modernizing the BAC is crucial for maintaining student-athlete retention and academic
success. These improvements will enhance the effectiveness of the BAC's support services, ensuring the continued provision of quality advising, mentoring, and tutoring essential for student-athlete
success. The renovations will include diverse seating options, new furniture, standing desks, and
other enhancements.
Finally, the grant will support an investment in technology and community. The initiative will provide for an upgrade to the BAC conference room with advanced technology to enhance its functionality and support academic success. The conference room improvements include integrated PC and camera setups which will provide a space for flexible meetings, trainings and presentations.
The grant will also allow Long Beach State to re-invest in an app which helps to manage volunteer opportunities, helping to connect local philanthropy efforts with student-athletes who are looking to get involved in the community. The system simplifies finding, signing up for and tracking community service activities.
Established in 2012, the program awards over $1 million annually to Division I colleges and universities that meet grant qualifications for the support of their academic initiatives to help increase the graduation rates of student-athletes. The AASP grants are an example of how the NCAA and its member schools invest in academic support and success of student-athletes.
A selection committee composed of representatives from past AASP NCAA member colleges and universities reviews the grant applications and awards the funding annually. To be eligible for AASP grants, schools must be identified as having limited resources based on research data and must either be in the Football Championship Subdivision or not sponsor a football program. Schools may request up to $100,000 and are required to match at least 20% of the awarded amount.
"We are thrilled to receive the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program Grant, which will provide essential support for the holistic development of our student-athletes," said Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran. "At Long Beach State, we are committed to ensuring that our student-athletes are not only 'Long Beach Built' but also prepared to succeed in their personal and professional lives. This grant enables us to continue providing our student-athletes with the resources they need to achieve their dreams, ensuring they have the support to thrive in their academic pursuits, personal development, and athletic careers."
Long Beach State's proposal presented a detailed plan which identified three major areas which will receive support through the grant: the BeACHampion program, Enhancing the Bickerstaff Academic Center (BAC) and an Investment in Technology and Community.
The BeAChampion program at Long Beach State University is a comprehensive four-year development initiative designed to ensure student-athletes are holistically supported throughout their time at LBSU. The program focuses on enhancing life skills, career readiness, and overall well-being through a series of structured courses and activities tailored to each academic year.
The program launched in 2022 and in the 2024-25 academic year, two programs, one for freshman and one for seniors will be offered. Grant funds will help support the development of curriculum for sophomores and juniors over the current year, with a goal of offering both courses in 2025-26 and ensuring a continuous and comprehensive developmental experience for all student-athletes at Long Beach State.
The Bickerstaff Academic Center (BAC) is the main advising hub for NCAA Division I student-athletes from 19 teams. Dedicated to their academic, personal, and professional growth, the BAC provides comprehensive support, including academic counseling, guidance on general education courses, career planning, and specialized programs like the Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP) and a mentoring program for at-risk students. Additionally, the BAC runs an in-house tutoring program tailored to the unique needs and schedules of student-athletes, complementing the university's tutoring services.
Renovating and modernizing the BAC is crucial for maintaining student-athlete retention and academic
success. These improvements will enhance the effectiveness of the BAC's support services, ensuring the continued provision of quality advising, mentoring, and tutoring essential for student-athlete
success. The renovations will include diverse seating options, new furniture, standing desks, and
other enhancements.
Finally, the grant will support an investment in technology and community. The initiative will provide for an upgrade to the BAC conference room with advanced technology to enhance its functionality and support academic success. The conference room improvements include integrated PC and camera setups which will provide a space for flexible meetings, trainings and presentations.
The grant will also allow Long Beach State to re-invest in an app which helps to manage volunteer opportunities, helping to connect local philanthropy efforts with student-athletes who are looking to get involved in the community. The system simplifies finding, signing up for and tracking community service activities.
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