The Big Ten Conference's academic support directors recognize the benefits of conference collaboration when faced with providing student-athlete services virtually. With that in mind, the unit leaders established bi-weekly academic director virtual meetings allowing leaders to learn from peers, share best practices, and troubleshoot solutions to an ever-changing student-athlete academic experience. The first Big Ten Academic Support Staff Professional Development Event was born this summer. "Leading Through Change" brought athletic academic counselors, learning specialists, and tutorial personnel from all 14 Big Ten institutions together to discuss important topics and develop lasting professional relationships. 

"I feel the greatest strength of the conference was the vast array of speakers and presenters who were involved," said Peter Antognetti, Assistant Academic Counselor at Maryland. "So many professionals shared their experiences and journeys with all the attendees. It was both insightful and inspiring to hear everyone's stories and lessons. To say the very least, it was a crash course in the field of student-athlete services. I was lucky to be a part of it. The event reaffirmed in me that this is the career path I'm meant to be on." 

In addition to keynote presentations by Dr. Emmet Gill (Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Texas) and Dr. Monica Flippin-Wynn (Assistant Vice President at the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education); several Big Ten academic support professionals led discussions on various topics. Maryland's Heather Arianna, Associate Director in the Gossett Student-Athlete Center led a session for Olympic sport academic professionals. 

"It was great to be able to lead the group discussion during the Big Ten Professonal Development Event," said Arianna, who has worked at Maryland for more than 25 years. "The Conference is full of so many talented academic professionals. Having the chance to connect and discuss current issues we are facing was beneficial on many levels. I look forward to another opportunity to interact with our colleagues again in the future."

The Big Ten academic directors plan to continue with similar programming and develop a series of professional development opportunities over the next several years. 

"Given the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Ten institutions' project travel for professional development will be severely impacted," said Brady Rourke, Associate Athletic Director at Maryland. "Therefore, virtual opportunities to network and grow professionally will be essential for the continued advancement of our profession."

Below is an overview of the Big Ten Academic Support Staff Professional Development Event. 

Session I Keynote: Social Justice and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) on Academics

Breakout Session I Topics: 

• Work/Life Balance or Mental Health and Wellness (Students and Staff)
• Young Professionals
• National/Local Responses to COVID-19
• Supporting Academic Support Staff of Color

Session II Keynote: Supporting Students and Staffs of Color in a Post-COVID World

Breakout Session II Topics: 

• Learning Specialists
• Tutor Coordinators
• Academic Advising
  • Football
  • Men's Basketball
  • Women's Basketball
  • Olympic Sports