The Extra Mile: A Student-Led, Campus-Wide Initiative
College
University College
Department
Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies
Faculty Mentor
Leah Kendall, M.Ed., and Kristen Abernathy, Ph.D.
Abstract
At Winthrop University, one mile separates main campus from the athletic complex. This distance creates not only a physical gap, but a metaphorical disconnect between student life and the Winthrop Athletic program. While this strain has notable consequences for the success of athletic teams, a broader impact is found on the culture of the institution at large. With the impact on engagement and retention in focus, this research not only explores increasing student buy-in to Winthrop’s athletic culture, but measures how this buy-in affects the campus culture. For research purposes, the study narrows the focus to student buy-in to the Winthrop Men’s Basketball program and proposes a means for engagement through the implementation of a student-led, campus-wide initiative called “The Extra Mile.” This research study assesses the initiative by measuring its impact on student connection to peers, athletics, and Winthrop University at large.
Course Assignment
LEAD 476, 477 – Abernathy
Start Date
20-4-2018 1:15 PM
The Extra Mile: A Student-Led, Campus-Wide Initiative
DIGS 114
At Winthrop University, one mile separates main campus from the athletic complex. This distance creates not only a physical gap, but a metaphorical disconnect between student life and the Winthrop Athletic program. While this strain has notable consequences for the success of athletic teams, a broader impact is found on the culture of the institution at large. With the impact on engagement and retention in focus, this research not only explores increasing student buy-in to Winthrop’s athletic culture, but measures how this buy-in affects the campus culture. For research purposes, the study narrows the focus to student buy-in to the Winthrop Men’s Basketball program and proposes a means for engagement through the implementation of a student-led, campus-wide initiative called “The Extra Mile.” This research study assesses the initiative by measuring its impact on student connection to peers, athletics, and Winthrop University at large.
