NEW HAVEN, Conn. –Southern Connecticut State University Director of Athletics Chris Barker has announced the expansion of academic support services available to Southern's student-athletes.

Women's volleyball assistant Jen Dawson has been named as SCSU Athletics' Student Success & Experience Coordinator. In addition, Dawson will also work closely with Athletics Academic Support Specialist John Weiss as well as Southern's Academic Success Center in enhancing the academic support for Southern's student-athletes.

"'The Owl Way' is our process of creating a competitive academic, athletic and social experience for Southern's student-athletes," Barker said. "Sustainability and consistency are crucial to success, and these positions mirror that exactly and enhance our student-athlete experience with the addition of Jen Dawson's position and expansion of John Weiss's role."

In the newly-created role, Dawson will assist the Department of Athletics, Director of the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services and the Faculty Athletics Representative to develop and facilitate best practices to foster the holistic development of student-athletes in the areas of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility, career development, community service, leadership development and personal growth.

"I am very excited to take on this opportunity to provide the best experience for our student-athletes," Dawson said. "I am looking forward to helping our athletes develop into the best version of themselves."

"This was a great addition to the services offered to Southern's student-athletes," Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. James MacGregor said. "I'm excited that we added two athletic alumni to these positions who offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that our student-athletes can relate to."

Dawson, a native of Clinton, Conn., was a four-year standout with the Owls' volleyball team and recently served as a graduate assistant with athletic facilities and operations while completing her master's degree in Sport & Entertainment Management with a specialization in Athletics Administration.

"Culture is driven by people, and when we had the opportunity to enhance our student-athletes' experience, and to do so with two Owl Alumni, it was an easy decision," Barker said. "I am excited to have Jen and John on our team, and look forward to supporting them as they enhance our student-athletes' academic experience here at Southern!"

Weiss, an assistant coach with the football program who also suited up for the Owls, has worked closely with SCSU's student-athletes since joining the athletic department in 2020. A 2014 graduate of Southern Connecticut, Weiss will administrator several academic support initiatives while working closely with Southern's Academic Success Center through an enhanced partnership between the two departments.

"The Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services is excited to partner with athletics," Director of SCSU's Academic Success Center Katie De Oliveira said. "Jen Dawson and John Weiss will play critical roles in helping to form an academic success team for student-athletes and supporting them in their academic success. We are excited to be able to enhance the support we will all be able to bring to the student-athletes with these roles."

"Lastly I would like to thank Katie DeOliveria (Director of the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services) and Dr. James MacGregor (Faculty Athletics Representative) for supporting our students and helping us achieve The Owl Way," Barker said.