Learning Services
The Learning Services Program within the Hawkins Center provides individualized academic support for student-athletes who benefit from additional structure, strategy development, and learning assistance. The program is designed to help student-athletes develop effective academic skills while building independence and confidence in the classroom.
Through collaboration between Learning Specialists, Assistant Learning Specialists, and trained tutors, Learning Services provides structured support tailored to each student-athlete’s learning needs. The program focuses on skill development, academic accountability, and long-term success at the University of Florida.
Purpose
The purpose of the Learning Services program is to advocate for academically at-risk student-athletes in order to provide access to an equitable education.
Learning Services works with student-athletes to strengthen academic strategies, organization, and study habits so they can successfully navigate the demands of college coursework and maintain progress toward graduation.
Who We Support
Student-athletes may participate in Learning Services if they:
- Have a diagnosed learning disability
- Are suspected of having a learning disability and may benefit from further evaluation
- Demonstrate global academic underachievement
- Require additional academic support while transitioning to the rigor of college coursework
All incoming student-athletes complete academic screening assessments. These assessments help identify students who may benefit from additional academic support or further academic evaluation.
Learning Services Team
The Learning Services Program is staffed by academic professionals and trained tutors who work collaboratively to support student-athlete success.
Learning Specialists / Assistant Learning Specialists
Learning Specialists provide individualized academic support for student-athletes with the greatest academic needs. They oversee student progress, develop academic strategies, and coordinate structured support services.
Strategy Tutors
Strategy Tutors work one-on-one with student-athletes to build academic and behavioral skills. These sessions focus on learning strategies, organization, time management, and task completion related to coursework.
College Prep Tutors
College Prep Tutors support student-athletes enrolled in remedial coursework. These sessions focus on building foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Learning Services Support Programs
Strategy Tutoring
Strategy tutoring provides individualized academic support designed to help student-athletes build effective learning strategies while completing coursework.
- One-on-one academic support
- Focus on learning strategies and study skills
- Emphasis on organization, planning, and task completion
Designated Study Lab (DSL)
Designated Study Lab provides structured academic work time supervised by Learning Specialists or Assistant Learning Specialists.
- Small group environment
- Focus on completing lower-stakes course-related tasks and assignments as students work on developing executive functioning skills
Structured Study Hall (SSH)*
Structured Study Hall provides additional academic accountability in a small group setting led by Strategy Tutors.
- Small group sessions
- Reinforces learning strategies and academic habits
- Encourages productive academic engagement for more independent learners who need a structured setting to complete work
- *Also offer International SSH (I-SSH), small group study hall supervised by ESOL endorsed tutors for international student-athletes in their first semester(s) at an American university.
College Prep
The College Prep Program consists of students who are academically underprepared upon entering their first year of college, as determined by the state of Florida’s mandated standardized testing score requirement in English, Reading, and/or Math. The College Prep Program provides corequisite learning support, allowing student-athletes to enroll in credit-bearing, college-level courses while receiving additional academic support concurrently with their college-level coursework.
- Corequisite support is provided through paired tutoring
- Focus on foundational reading, writing, and math skills
Learning Services Staff
Kelley Catenacci
Director of Learning Services
KelleyC@gators.ufl.edu
Chelsea Iobst
Associate Director of Learning Services
ChelseaI@gators.ufl.edu
Lisa Garcia
Assistant Director of Learning Services
LisaG@gators.ufl.edu
Lauren Grove
Learning Specialist
LaurenG@gators.ufl.edu
Haley Faulkner
Learning Specialist
HaleyF@gators.ufl.edu
Allison Castle
Learning Specialist
AllisonC@gators.ufl.edu
Student-Athlete Perspectives
I am able to break apart tasks into smaller pieces that seem more achievable and realistic. My productivity, punctuality have significantly improved. I’m more reliable and more dependable.
One of the most valuable skills I gained from Learning Services is time management. Before using their support, I used to procrastinate a lot, but after learning how to break big tasks into smaller steps, use planners effectively, and set realistic goals, I started staying on top of assignments and studying consistently. It’s helped me reduce stress and improve my grades because I’m no longer cramming or rushing through important work. Having a structured routine also gave me more confidence in managing multiple classes at once.
Learning Services by the Numbers
- On average, 33% of Student-Athletes utilize Learning Services
- Employ 20+ Strategy Tutors
- Small group sessions (1-4 students max)
FAQs
- How are students referred to Learning Services?
- All incoming student-athletes complete academic screening assessments when they arrive on campus. These screeners help identify students who may benefit from additional academic support. Student-athletes may also be referred to Learning Services by academic advisors, coaches, or other academic support staff within the Hawkins Center for Academic and Personal Excellence.
- Does using Learning Services mean a student is struggling academically?
- Not necessarily. Learning Services is designed to provide proactive academic support and structured learning environments that help student-athletes build strong academic habits and skills.
Many students benefit from the additional structure, accountability, and strategy development the program provides.
- Not necessarily. Learning Services is designed to provide proactive academic support and structured learning environments that help student-athletes build strong academic habits and skills.
- What if a student-athlete had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school?
- Student-athletes who previously had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan in high school are encouraged to provide their documentation to the Learning Services staff.
Learning Services can assist students in submitting appropriate documentation to the University of Florida Disability Resource Center so they can be evaluated for academic accommodations at the University of Florida.
- Student-athletes who previously had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan in high school are encouraged to provide their documentation to the Learning Services staff.
- Can Learning Services help students get tested for a learning disability?
- Yes. If academic screeners or observed academic challenges suggest that additional evaluation may be beneficial, Learning Services can help facilitate referrals for psychoeducational testing.
This process helps determine whether a student may have a learning disability and whether academic accommodations may be appropriate.
- Yes. If academic screeners or observed academic challenges suggest that additional evaluation may be beneficial, Learning Services can help facilitate referrals for psychoeducational testing.
- How long can a student-athlete utilize Learning Services?
- Student-athletes may participate in Learning Services programming for as long as they need academic support.
The program is designed to provide structure, strategy development, and skill-building that supports students throughout their academic careers.
- Student-athletes may participate in Learning Services programming for as long as they need academic support.
- Can Learning Services help students without a diagnosed learning disability?
- Yes. Learning Services supports student-athletes with a variety of academic needs. Some students participate because they have a diagnosed learning disability, while others benefit from additional academic structure, strategy development, and support during their transition to college coursework.
- Are Learning Services sessions mandatory?
- For student-athletes assigned to the Learning Services Program, scheduled sessions are mandatory. These structured sessions provide accountability and allow students to work on coursework, study strategies, organization, and academic planning in a supportive environment.
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