Michigan Athletics Webinar: Academic, Career and Leadership Support

The University of Michigan athletic department held a webinar on Tuesday (March 31) with department leaders from the academic success program, career center and leadership development to talk about adjusting to online learning and virtual communication and what lies ahead for student-athletes in today's unknown landscape of higher education and athletics.

Panelists

Kurt Svoboda
Host

Associate AD, External Communications and PR

Kenneth Miles
Executive Senior Associate AD, Academic Success Program

Started at U-M Nov. 4, 2019, and leads the Academic Success Program
Previously spent 11 years at LSU as assistant vice chancellor and executive director of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes
Before his time in Baton Rouge, worked at Syracuse University from 1997-2008, rising to associate athletics director for student-athlete support services.
Also worked at alma mater University of Virginia for two years as an academic and life skills coordinator.
Graduated from UVA with degree in studio art while earning four letters as a defensive lineman in football; earned first of two master's degrees in social foundations of education from UVA, with second coming from Syracuse with focus in cultural foundations of education

Brian Townsend
Director, Leadership Development Program

In current role, provides strategic direction in development and implementation of comprehensive student-athlete programming and services; goals of programming and services focused around lifelong health and wellness, and personal growth and development
Earned two degrees from U-M in sport management and communications, and also in physical education; played on four Big Ten championship football teams.
Started athletic career as teacher and basketball coach at nearby Ann Arbor Pioneer High School before appointment as assistant basketball coach at Ohio University in 2003; in 2007 he returned to U-M as director of basketball operations. In 2010 he served as an assistant sport administrator for multiple programs before transitioning to his current role in 2014.

Maurice Washington
Director, Athletics Career Center

At Michigan, develops career and pre-professional programs, career fairs, and interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities to give student-athletes real world experiences
Has more than 28 years in career counseling and development; previously worked at Bowling Green State as an employer coordinator, dedicated to veteran students, and advisor to International students and student athletes
Also served as program manager for Cooperative Education and Internships program, responsible for tracking all internships, reporting, and evaluation data related to academic credits
Served as U.S. Air Force education manager, advising veteran students on course and program selections; in this role, he restructured Resource Specialist Program (RSP), created to assist academically struggling students to achieve college admission requirements

Segment 1 - Introductions (6:06)