Peak Performance and Leadership Academy

Presents

2020-2021 Programming:
Focusing on Unity and Connection, Diversity and Inclusion, Career Development and Leading Through Adversity

 

Programming Opportunities

 

Diversity and Inclusion, Wellness, and Leadership Programming (In conjunction with the NEWMAC)

*Three sessions will be held on each topic. Additional programming dates coming soon*

Wednesday, October 28th, 6-7:15pm: DEI, Session 1

Would you give up competing for social justice? Find out why many athletes are. Beginning with a historical look at race and race relations, student-athletes will explore the intersections of race, gender, class, society, and sport. Through discussion, analysis and breakouts, student-athletes move towards establishing new norms, practices and cultures for teams, athletics and the school community.

Monday, November 9th, 6-7:15pm: DEI, Session 2

Would you give up competing for social justice? Find out why many athletes are. We invite and ask our own questions and define key concepts in the current epoch of athlete activism and Black Lives Matter. Student athletes will explore the intersections of race, gender, class, society, and sport.

Monday, November 16th, 6-7:15pm: Mental Health, Session 1

What’s your weather? Sunny and clear, a chance of rain, hot and muggy? What is your head space? How do you know if your teammate or friend is struggling? Let’s talk about mental health, how it impacts your daily life, and its impact on athletic performance.

Girls Inc. Volunteer Opportunity for Student-Athletes

As you may know, last year we began a partnership with Girls Inc. to provide student-athletes with volunteer opportunities to engage with local middle school girls. This semester that partnership continues with opportunities to engage with middle school and high school girls as tutor mentors in a virtual format.
 
The fall semester program is already underway. Details still to be released about spring semester opportunities to be involved with Girls Inc.
 
Career Development For All Student-Athletes
 
Fall semester events have already occurred. Details still to be released about spring semester opportunities.

 

Mindfulness Monday:

This will begin on Monday, September 7th with mindfulness training. Every week we will alternate between mindfulness training and an athletes connected support group- all on Mondays. See details below. 

Login information for student-athletes is included in the Student-Athlete Events and Programming google calendar.

Mindfulness Training: 

Facilitator: Coach Dave Allen, Head Swimming and Diving Coach

Dates (Mondays): September 7th, September 21st, October 5th, October 19th, November 2nd, November 16th, November 30th

Time: 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. EDT

Description: Being mindful allows a person to be able to stay in the present moment, which helps relieve stress and increase productivity. These sessions will be an introduction to mindfulness and the practice of meditation. The session will include a quick lesson on the benefits of mindfulness as well as a mindful or meditation practice or skill.

Athletes Connected Support Group (Drop-In Talking):

Dates (Mondays): September 14th, September 28st, October 12th, October 26th, 

Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. EDT

Facilitator: Devon Kelting, MHC Counseling Service Psychologist

Description: Are you missing teammates, sad over the loss of your season, reeling from the lack of structure practices provide, unmotivated with workouts, and struggling to develop new coping devices to ward off daily stress?  This group may be able to help. Emphasis will be placed on goal setting, stress reduction, time management, alternative coping devices, among others. There will be time for sharing personal experiences with the goal of supporting one another through these difficult times.

 

Athletics Littles/Bigs Program:

The Athletics Littles/Bigs Program matches first-year student-athletes with junior student-athletes for mentorship and leadership development within the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. Registration is closed for this year and all matches have been made. Registration will open again in the fall for first-year and junior student-athletes.

Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT):

SALT will meet every three weeks. Meeting invitations and login information was sent directly to fall 2020 members. Meetings for the spring semester will be scheduled in December/January.

Athlete Empowerment Coalition:

This group will meet regularly to build relationships, support shared challenges, and move diversity and inclusion initiatives forward. Student-athletes (club and varsity) may sign up at any time to join the group here.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

SAAC meets every other Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Many meetings are subcommittee meetings only in order to move initiatives forward. Below are some SAAC plans to expect this year:

  • Voting to move the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Representative to E-Board

  • Voting to add a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee

  • Virtual Toy Drive

  • Diversity and Inclusion Book/Movie Club

  • Discussion about Diversity and Inclusion Dialogues

  • Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Website

  • Voter Registration and Education

  • Legislative Summit (to discuss name, image, likeness)

  • Team of the Week (in place of Game of the Week) during Spring 2021

 

Coming Soon...

Stay tuned. Wellness programming, diversity and inclusion programming, and leadership programming is coming soon. 

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"Launching the Peak Performance and Leadership Academy highlights the emphasis Mount Holyoke College continues to place on the complete development of student-athletes and their experience. We believe every student-athlete is a leader no matter the role they play on their team. This is why we offer programming for every single student-athlete highlighting the areas of performance, wellness, leadership, community, and career development. Our student-athletes in team leadership roles also receive development pertaining to their specific responsibilities as captains and team representatives. 
 
This academic year there's a special emphasis placed on unity and connection as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of our community programming. This emphasis will allow us to keep our community strong during this time and lay the groundwork for the continuation of important dialogues. 
 
This holistic approach to developing student-athletes as leaders on campus, on their teams, within their communities, and as professionals prepares them effectively for post graduation opportunities and sets them apart from other young professionals and graduate students."
 
Erica Lemm
Interim Director of Athletics