The Purpose
Our mission with AQCESS is to empower student-athletes by providing essential resources and guidance throughout their academic and athletic journeys.
The Purpose
AQCESS (Aquinas Connection and Engagement for Students in Sports), is an organization composed of input and individuals from the graduate counseling program, athletics department, admissions, and student body. The organization is dedicated to supporting the comprehensive success, from orientation through graduation, of student-athletes at Aquinas College.
The AQCESS Mission:
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Introduction and Acclimation: Helping new student-athletes (and their families) navigate the demands of collegiate life, both academically and athletically.
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Support and Guidance: Offering a combination of emotional and practical assistance, including peer support, mentorship, and specialized counseling resources provided by Aquinas Graduate Students (LPC candidates) for stress management and pressure relief.
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Direction and Empowerment: Providing clear pathways, planning, and coaching to help students build confidence, leadership skills, and achieve long-term success both on the field and after graduation.
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Community and Connection: Fostering a supportive network and a sense of belonging among all Aquinas student-athletes.
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Integrity and Athlete Protection: Serving as a confidential, insulated channel between athletes and administration to uphold institutional rules (e.g., class prioritization over training, academic priority over performance, etc). It facilitates confidential coach evaluation and feedback to the administration while offering whistleblower safeguards. This protection is essential to shield student-athletes from fear of reprisal, including the loss of playing time or adverse changes to their team status.
In short, AQCESS is the essential resource for the overall well-being and success of students who participate in collegiate sports at AQ.
Why AQ Needs This
Why the AQCESS Initiative is Essential
The AQCESS Initiative is crucial because student-athletes face a unique and intense combination of demands, placing them at higher risk for academic failure, social isolation, and mental health challenges.
1. Integrated Mental Health & Specialized Support
The pressure to perform and maintain high grades creates a substantial mental load. AQCESS addresses this critical need by leveraging Aquinas's own resources:
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The Counseling Edge: The initiative partners directly with Aquinas Graduate Students pursuing their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) degrees.
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Integrated Care: These future counselors provide low-barrier, supervised guidance, stress management workshops, and one-on-one sessions. This specialized support is vital for helping athletes navigate performance anxiety, injury stress, and the emotional demands of balancing two high-pressure careers.
2. Acclimation and Direction for College Life
New student-athletes (freshmen or transfers) are immediately thrust into a demanding schedule. The initiative is important for providing a "soft landing" by:
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Teaching them how to navigate campus resources and athletic department structures.
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Offering immediate connection to upperclassmen and mentors who understand their specific challenges.
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Providing clear direction for life after sports (career planning, networking).
3. Managing the Dual Demand and Fostering Community
Student-athletes are managing two full-time jobs: academics and athletics. The initiative unites athletes from different sports, creating a wider, more diverse peer support network. This essential community reduces feelings of isolation and contributes directly to higher student retention rates, helping athletes meet both academic and athletic obligations without burning out.
4. Upholding Institutional Integrity
An effective student-athlete support system ensures that the college's athletic programs are operating ethically and prioritizing the "student" in "student-athlete."
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Oversight and Accountability: By providing a safe, confidential mechanism for reporting concerns, the initiative closes the oversight gap that occurs when coaches operate "on an island." This protects students from exploitation and the bending of rules (like prioritizing training over class).
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Protection from Retribution: The platform gives athletes a voice to flag actions that violate institutional mandates and create incredible personal dilemmas —such as prioritizing education—without fear of career or social retribution from coaching staff.
By providing these essential academic, personal, and ethical resources, the AQCESS initiative helps maintain high academic and institutional standards of care, contributing directly to Aquinas College's overall reputation and success.
Meet Our Team
Learn about the people who drive our mission.
Emily Chen
Founder
Emily specializes in providing counseling services that focus on the mental wellness of student-athletes.
Samuel Martinez
Jasmine Taylor
Samuel connects students with resources, ensuring they have the necessary tools for academic success.
Aisha Khan
Chris White
Aisha is dedicated to creating community engagement initiatives that encourage student-athletes to support each other.
Michael Green
Maria Lopez
Michael focuses on mentorship, helping students develop confidence and leadership skills both on and off the field.