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NCAA Grant Program Panel Member: Illinois College Athlete Makes Impact on Student-Athlete Mental Health

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As she returned to campus for her senior season, women's volleyball standout Laura Kaiser reflected on her summer experience serving on the NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program panel. The initiative is focused on enhancing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of student-athletes across all NCAA divisions. The panel includes athletic directors, coaches, professors, and student-athletes who review research proposals aimed at improving student-athlete wellness. With her role on the board, Laura had the opportunity to evaluate hundreds of proposals and narrow the field to just 15 finalists.

Key Takeaways:

  • Laura Kaiser, a senior volleyball player at Illinois College, served on the NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program panel to enhance student-athlete mental health and psychosocial well-being.
  • The panel includes athletic directors, coaches, professors, and student-athletes who review research proposals to improve student-athlete wellness.
  • Laura and her team evaluated hundreds of proposals from institutions like Brown, UCLA, and Westminster College, narrowing the field to 15 finalists.
  • The group will meet again in August to select the final recipients of the grant funding.
  • Laura's experience on the national-level research review committee highlights her leadership and perspective on and off the court.
  • The NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program aims to address the mental health and psychosocial well-being of student-athletes across all NCAA divisions.

Statistics:

  • 15: The number of finalists selected from hundreds of research proposals for the NCAA grant funding.
  • 3: The number of institutions mentioned that submitted research proposals, including Brown, UCLA, and Westminster College.
  • 1: The single NCAA division represented by Laura Kaiser, a D3 student-athlete.
  • August: The month when the grant panel will meet to select the final recipients.

Sources:

  • NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program (no date provided)
  • Illinois College Athletics (no date provided)

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