2015-16 Nebraska Women's Golf Guide | Page 45

HUSKERS.COM @HUSKERWGOLF #HUSKERS 43 EXPERIENCE THE WORLD Service to a Much Larger Community The Nebraska Life Skills program continued to expand its reach in 2015 by offering student-athletes a chance to impact other parts of the world. The annual service trip abroad program began with a trip to Guatemala in May of 2015, enabling nearly 20 current and former Huskers to positively influence the lives of youngsters in another country. Nebraska Life Skills Program Widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive Life Skills program in college athletics, the Husker program is committed to providing proactive education, resources and support throughout college and beyond, promoting total person development and preparation for life after sports. Five full-time staff members and one graduate assistant coordinate a wide array of services benefiting Husker student-athletes. Proactive Education The Life Skills team organizes orientations designed to acclimate student-athletes to college life. All new student-athletes also attend the fall semester Husker Life Seminar. The interactive class promotes responsible decision-making, personal brand, financial literacy, leadership, involvement and service. Individual Meetings Every Nebraska student-athlete is assigned a Life Skills Coordinator who will arrange multiple individual meetings throughout the academic year aimed at enhancing personal and career development. The meetings help each studentathlete identify a career focus and implement a plan to increase career marketability. Career Commitment orking Annually, Nebraska Life Skills organizes a StudentAthlete Career Fair, Networking Night (pictured bottom right) and other career events aimed at connecting Huskers with companies desiring competitive, hard-working, accountable candidates. Athlete Network and Husker Hire Link provide opportunities to explore career opportunities across the country. Community Outreach Nebraska student-athletes readily accept the rolemodel challenge collectively giving more than 6,500 hours annually to impact thousands, both young and old alike, throughout the entire state of Nebraska. Outreach events include but are not limited to hospital visits, mentoring, school assemblies, statewide rallies, Make-A-Wish, NFL Play 60 and Husker Heroes. Leadership Nebraska Life Skills provides student-athletes with endless opportunities to enhance leadership skills while distinguishing themselves from the competition. Student-athletes can be members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Uplifting Athletes Chapter or Husker Distinction Council. On campus, UNL offers more than 600 recognized student organizations allowing athletes to collaborate with other campus leaders for a common goal. Annually, Nebraska Life Skills funds and coordinates a one week service abroad trip allowing nearly 20 student-athletes to come together for a common goal while enriching cultural competencies. RECOGNITION In 2014-15, a record 37 Husker Football studentathletes were named to both the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team and Brook Berringer Citizenship Team for completing a minimum of six service projects in the calendar year. There are a host of other recognition opportunities both at the institutional, Big Ten and NCAA level which all reflect on the high ideals, character and servant leadership nurtured through community involvement. Staying On Course With Life Off the Course Nebraska’s Life Skills program helps prepare the Huskers for life after the competition on the course ends. Cassidy Stelzmiller (left) and Morgan Smejkal (middle) took part in Nebraska’s Annual Student-Athlete Career Fair in 2014-15. Other career-enhancement opportunities include Networking Night and the Husker Hire Link program. Beginning in 2015-16, every student-athlete who letters and graduates will have a three-year window to benefit from post-eligibility opportunities to study abroad, complete an internship or begin graduate school in the University of Nebraska system, each valued at $7,500. POST-ELIGIBILITY OPPORTUNITIES Effective December 2015 and beyond, studentathletes who letter and graduate will have a three-year window to benefit from one of three post-eligibility opportunities each valued at $7,500. Upon completion of required seminars, graduates can either study abroad, complete an internship or begin graduate school within the University of Nebraska system. TRUST