The University College Academic Enhancement Office is located in 126 Tootell.

At the University of Rhode Island, nearly 500 student-athletes participate in 22 varsity sports.  The University is proud to offer these student-athletes an academic support system designed to foster responsibility and enthusiasm for learning.  It is a system that emphasizes the University’s commitment to education and graduation.

URI is proud of the academic achievements of our student athletes.  A total of 75 student-athletes were named to the Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner’s Spring Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.5.  Twenty-five percent of our student-athletes were named to the Dean’s List for earning at least a 3.30 GPA.

Student-athletes who need additional academic support, or who have encountered serious academic difficulty, are assigned to one of our Learning Specialists.  Located in the University College Academic Enhancement Office in Tootell Gymnasium, the advisors are experts at dealing with academically challenged students; they offer close academic monitoring and ongoing needs assessment. During weekly meetings, students have the opportunity to discuss academic problems and work on improving time management and study skills.  Because of their professional relationship with many of the faculty, our advisors are able to help students communicate effectively with their professors.  They also assist in resolving scheduling conflicts, determining choice of major, and investigating internship opportunities.  

The advisors also work closely with the Academic Enhancement Center to provide assistance for those student-athletes requiring tutorial support.

The following services are offered to all student-athletes:

Freshman Orientation Meeting
A welcome session for freshman athletes that is a part of the summer orientation program.

Freshman Athlete Orientation Course
Special sections of the required freshman URI 101 course. Athletes may select a general section of URI 101 or a special interest section.

Informational Team Meetings
A chance to discuss such topics as athletic eligibility changes of policy, special events or academic procedures in a group meeting.

Student-Athlete Study Hall
A quiet, supervised study time for first semester freshman athletes and for any athletes having academic difficulty.

Rhody Ram Computer Lab
A supervised computer lab in the Tootell Complex offering both day and evening hours.

News and Events

URI Welcomes Freshmen Student-Athletes with Ram Skills Day.  On Tuesday, September 4, the University of Rhode Island department of athletics welcomed approximately 145 freshman student-athletes to campus with its third-annual First Year Student-Athlete Orientation. The program, which was held in the Ryan Center, is designed to connect newcomers with one another as well as the many resources available at URI. More...

Track & Field/Cross Country's Kathy Guilfoyle, Courtney Klenk, and Emily Anderson were named Academic All-Americans for 2006-07.

Track & Field/Cross Country's Emily Anderson, Kathy Guilfoyle, and Courtney Klenk named Academic All-American.  Rhode Island women's track & field/cross country team members  Emily Anderson, Courtney Klenk, and Katherine Guilfoyle were named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America team. In all, 36 institutions are represented among the 45 student-athletes in the University Division. URI is one of just three institutions listed with at least three student-athletes earning Academic All-America status. More...

Football's Damien Gresko named Second Team Academic All-American for 2006-07.

Football's Damien Gresko named Academic All-American. Rhode Island junior offensive lineman Damien Gresko was named an ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American, Wednesday, as voted upon by the College Sports Information Director's Association (CoSIDA) membership.  More...

Many URI Student-Athletes Honored in 2006-07. Numerous URI student-athletes were honored during the 2005-06 academic year for their academics, service, and leadership.

Four URI Student-Athletes Selected for 2005-06 URI President's Awards for Student Excellence.   Emily Anderson (Westerly, RI), Megan Kasparek (Trumbell, CT), Virginia Sorrell (Indianapolis, IN), and Courtney Wall (Westport, CT) were honored by their respective academic departments for superior academic achievement in a particular field with a President’s Award for Student Excellence. Their selection is based on grade point average, as well as other criteria determined by the individual department. For example, criteria might include an honors project, a research presentation, or a student’s professional promise.
Quad Angles article about Emily Anderson. 

Senior Soccer Star Melanie Kasparek became URI's second NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient in 2006.

Melanie Kasparek Awarded NCAA and Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholarships (2006).  Senior Melanie Kasparek (Trumbull, Conn.) of the Rhode Island women's soccer team, has been awarded both the NCAA and Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholarships. In the past six years, Rhode Island has nominated eight athletes, six of which have been finalists, including Kasparek. Kasparek is the second student-athlete in URI history to be awarded the scholarship, joining Joy Hess who won the award in 2005. Kasparek is majoring in psychology and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.97 with plans to attend graduate school in school psychology.  GoRhody writeup. 

Senior Rower Marissa Owens won a prestigious James Madison Graduate Fellowship in 2006.

Rowing's Marissa Owens wins 2006 James Madison Graduate Fellowship.  Senior Marissa Owens (Albany, NY) of the Rhode Island women's rowing team, has been awarded the prestigious James Madison Graduate Fellowship, which supports graduate study of American history by aspiring secondary school teachers. Owens is one of only 50 James Madison Fellows selected in competition with applicants from all 50 states and territories. More...

Senior Field Hockey Standout Joy Hess became URI's first ever NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient in 2005.

Joy Hess Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship (2005).  Senior Joy Hess (Ephrata, Pa.) of the Rhode Island field hockey team, has been awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. In the past five years, Rhode Island has nominated five athletes, four of which have been finalists, including Hess. Hess is the first student-athlete in URI history to be awarded the scholarship and is also the only athlete from the Atlantic 10 to yield the honor this year. Hess is majoring in communicative disorders and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.9 with plans to attend graduate school in speech and hearing services. GoRhody writeup. URI News Bureau.