University of Pittsburgh Athletics
OFF SCRIPT: Life Skills Primed for Success
10/12/2017 2:56:00 PM | General, Life Skills
Cathy and John Pelusi Family Life Skills Department Prepares Student-Athletes for Post-Grad Life
With a mission focused on success off the field, the NCAA launched an initiative in 1995 to aid students in successful careers, both on and off the playing surface. Starting as a pilot program, the Life Skills department within University of Pittsburgh Athletics helps accomplish that goal for the Panthers, preparing the 475 student-athletes for the next chapters of their lives.
The Cathy and John Pelusi Family Life Skills Program aids students in various areas, with a focus on career development, community service, financial education, leadership and personal development.
From organizing community service events to assisting in academic major exploration and resume building, the Life Skills outlet within Pitt Athletics does it all. Housing seven employees, all of whom are invested in the personal success of student-athletes, Pitt has notably the largest Life Skills department in the country.
The faces behind the department are rather diverse, including a few notable Pitt alumni and staffers deeply rooted in Pitt's traditions. Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Life, Penny Semaia, leads the group and has been with the program since 2005.
"Our philosophy is pretty simple," he said. "The mission is to help prepare our student athletes for success today and success tomorrow."
Always one step ahead, the Life Skills Department starts their work with student-athletes from the very beginning. Working alongside coaches, the department staff meets with each and every recruit that steps foot on campus, from basic information sessions to a one-on-one in-depth visit.
Once on campus, an incoming freshman is welcomed by the Life Skills staff, who is usually one of the first to visit with the newest Panthers, most of whom arrive on campus around six weeks prior to classes starting. During their first week, student-athletes are brought through the Bridge Program, which helps set up students for success over the next four years.
As the students continue their academic and athletic success, the Life Skills department continues to support them. During their sophomore year the students are immersed with the Sophomore Touch. This requires one-on-one meetings with one of the members of Life Skills, working out what they wish to achieve in the upcoming year.
As students transition to upperclassman, they work with the Life Skills department where they see fit. Resources and connections extend past the four years, aiding Panthers in the real world.
"I have students call to ask if I can help with a variety of things. Having students know that they have someone who was there with them through the highs and the lows, we are able to be there as someone they trust," said Colin Sisk, Coordinator of Life Skills.
Career Services
Starting their freshman year, student-athletes start working towards future success with the help of Jackson Martin and the career services sector of Life Skills. In their first year, student-athletes meet one-on-one to discuss future aspirations and work on achieving them early on. Help ranges from resume assistance to setting up their individual career profile.
Finding time to pursue and experience different aspects and types of careers can be increasingly hard as a student-athlete. Daily schedules are usually filled with academic classes, along with practice time, so the importance of finding the balance to then add in professional experience can be a challenge.
Semaia stresses the importance of 'meeting the athlete where they are,' searching where the student-athlete has gaps and opportunities that can turn into experience.
With busy schedules, making time for career advancement becomes challenging for student-athletes. However, with the aid of the Life Skills department, student-athletes are given the opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead. The group hosts career events and connects student-athletes with alumni and others who can assist in career advancement.
Community Service
Sisk has been a Panther since 2010 when he stepped on campus as a freshman. Graduating with his undergraduate in 2014 and obtaining his masters in Higher Education Management, Sisk started working with Life Skills midway through his graduate school for experience. In 2015, he began working with the Life Skills Program and now wears many hats within the group.
Working to provide different service opportunities for individual athletes as well as on a team level, Sisk operates the community service aspect. This imitative works to educate student-athletes and teams about service opportunities. Each team varies in the community efforts that they take part in, with some teams electing to work as a group, and others utilizing more individual-based tactics.
Meaningful community outreach can transform a student-athlete, broadening their horizons on what can be done and what they can do. Each student is at a different point of their collegiate career.
For senior Giorgiana Zeremenko, community service has been part of her personal identity prior to her arrival at Pitt. Zeremenko gained much of her community service experience with her church group, which then continued when she joined as a member of Pitt softball four years ago. Miracle League, helping with the Pittsburgh Marathon and making sandwiches are just a few examples of work that she has done. As a member of SAAC, she is also part of the community service subcommittee, which works to provide new opportunities and ideas for community service.
Personal Development
Coming into an environment where you are immediately introduced to both academics and athletics, some student-athletes can feel initially overwhelmed. Finding balance and time for personal growth, development and social aspects can be a challenge. Life Skills can guide student-athletes to essential resources during their time at Pitt.
"You do want student-athletes to feel like they can push themselves," noted Sisk. "If you can get them there, then things become a lot easier for them."
The Life Skills group helps instill the work ethic in all areas for Pitt's student-athletes, showing them the sense of achievement in going the extra mile.
SAAC
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee run by student-athletes and is overseen by Life Skills. Consisting of 58 members, representing every team within Pitt athletics, this group works towards creating the best environment for each student-athlete during their years at Pitt. The group works on a wide variety of issues, ranging from planning events such as the Panther Gala to working to create NCAA legislation.
This group serves as the liaison between athletic administration and the student-athlete population. Members bring concerns, applause and areas in which they believe can be improved to the meetings to discuss how these aspects can be refined.
"You wake up with your team, you lift with your team, you are in class with a lot of your teammates, you have practice with them, treatment with them, you live with them," said Zeremenko. "So getting to know other student-athletes is a good way to escape your team, but also having someone who understands what you are going through, and your schedule, and certain sacrifices that you have to make."
The Pitt Life Skills department encompasses much more than just one aspect, aiding students in their journey through academics and athletics, and establishing a network of former Panthers with an exceptional reach.
"It is bigger than sports. It is bigger than academics. It is bigger than yourself," said Zeremenko. "It is just Life Skills being there, having our backs, that makes all the difference."
The Cathy and John Pelusi Family Life Skills Program aids students in various areas, with a focus on career development, community service, financial education, leadership and personal development.
From organizing community service events to assisting in academic major exploration and resume building, the Life Skills outlet within Pitt Athletics does it all. Housing seven employees, all of whom are invested in the personal success of student-athletes, Pitt has notably the largest Life Skills department in the country.
The faces behind the department are rather diverse, including a few notable Pitt alumni and staffers deeply rooted in Pitt's traditions. Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Life, Penny Semaia, leads the group and has been with the program since 2005.
"Our philosophy is pretty simple," he said. "The mission is to help prepare our student athletes for success today and success tomorrow."
Always one step ahead, the Life Skills Department starts their work with student-athletes from the very beginning. Working alongside coaches, the department staff meets with each and every recruit that steps foot on campus, from basic information sessions to a one-on-one in-depth visit.
Once on campus, an incoming freshman is welcomed by the Life Skills staff, who is usually one of the first to visit with the newest Panthers, most of whom arrive on campus around six weeks prior to classes starting. During their first week, student-athletes are brought through the Bridge Program, which helps set up students for success over the next four years.
As the students continue their academic and athletic success, the Life Skills department continues to support them. During their sophomore year the students are immersed with the Sophomore Touch. This requires one-on-one meetings with one of the members of Life Skills, working out what they wish to achieve in the upcoming year.
As students transition to upperclassman, they work with the Life Skills department where they see fit. Resources and connections extend past the four years, aiding Panthers in the real world.
"I have students call to ask if I can help with a variety of things. Having students know that they have someone who was there with them through the highs and the lows, we are able to be there as someone they trust," said Colin Sisk, Coordinator of Life Skills.
Career Services
Starting their freshman year, student-athletes start working towards future success with the help of Jackson Martin and the career services sector of Life Skills. In their first year, student-athletes meet one-on-one to discuss future aspirations and work on achieving them early on. Help ranges from resume assistance to setting up their individual career profile.
Finding time to pursue and experience different aspects and types of careers can be increasingly hard as a student-athlete. Daily schedules are usually filled with academic classes, along with practice time, so the importance of finding the balance to then add in professional experience can be a challenge.
Semaia stresses the importance of 'meeting the athlete where they are,' searching where the student-athlete has gaps and opportunities that can turn into experience.
With busy schedules, making time for career advancement becomes challenging for student-athletes. However, with the aid of the Life Skills department, student-athletes are given the opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead. The group hosts career events and connects student-athletes with alumni and others who can assist in career advancement.
Community Service
Sisk has been a Panther since 2010 when he stepped on campus as a freshman. Graduating with his undergraduate in 2014 and obtaining his masters in Higher Education Management, Sisk started working with Life Skills midway through his graduate school for experience. In 2015, he began working with the Life Skills Program and now wears many hats within the group.
Working to provide different service opportunities for individual athletes as well as on a team level, Sisk operates the community service aspect. This imitative works to educate student-athletes and teams about service opportunities. Each team varies in the community efforts that they take part in, with some teams electing to work as a group, and others utilizing more individual-based tactics.
Meaningful community outreach can transform a student-athlete, broadening their horizons on what can be done and what they can do. Each student is at a different point of their collegiate career.
For senior Giorgiana Zeremenko, community service has been part of her personal identity prior to her arrival at Pitt. Zeremenko gained much of her community service experience with her church group, which then continued when she joined as a member of Pitt softball four years ago. Miracle League, helping with the Pittsburgh Marathon and making sandwiches are just a few examples of work that she has done. As a member of SAAC, she is also part of the community service subcommittee, which works to provide new opportunities and ideas for community service.
Personal Development
Coming into an environment where you are immediately introduced to both academics and athletics, some student-athletes can feel initially overwhelmed. Finding balance and time for personal growth, development and social aspects can be a challenge. Life Skills can guide student-athletes to essential resources during their time at Pitt.
"You do want student-athletes to feel like they can push themselves," noted Sisk. "If you can get them there, then things become a lot easier for them."
The Life Skills group helps instill the work ethic in all areas for Pitt's student-athletes, showing them the sense of achievement in going the extra mile.
SAAC
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee run by student-athletes and is overseen by Life Skills. Consisting of 58 members, representing every team within Pitt athletics, this group works towards creating the best environment for each student-athlete during their years at Pitt. The group works on a wide variety of issues, ranging from planning events such as the Panther Gala to working to create NCAA legislation.
This group serves as the liaison between athletic administration and the student-athlete population. Members bring concerns, applause and areas in which they believe can be improved to the meetings to discuss how these aspects can be refined.
"You wake up with your team, you lift with your team, you are in class with a lot of your teammates, you have practice with them, treatment with them, you live with them," said Zeremenko. "So getting to know other student-athletes is a good way to escape your team, but also having someone who understands what you are going through, and your schedule, and certain sacrifices that you have to make."
The Pitt Life Skills department encompasses much more than just one aspect, aiding students in their journey through academics and athletics, and establishing a network of former Panthers with an exceptional reach.
"It is bigger than sports. It is bigger than academics. It is bigger than yourself," said Zeremenko. "It is just Life Skills being there, having our backs, that makes all the difference."
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