McGraw Hill, a leading global education company that partners with millions of educators, learners, and professionals around the world, and Alabama State University are teaming up to launch a personalized career coaching and leadership development programme to empower the University’s student-athletes with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.
The Collegiate Athletic Leadership Programme, which begins on January 14, will provide targeted mentorship, career readiness training, and networking opportunities to assist ASU student-athletes in pursuing their post-career goals.
Alabama State University, located in Marion, Alabama, was established in 1867 as an African-American educational institution. The University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, is a highly regarded, world-class institution of higher education that accepts students of all races. It provides over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes, ranging from its traditional teacher education programme to several in-demand programmes such as the Doctorate in Physical Therapy, PhD in Microbiology, Master of Accountancy, Master’s in Social Work, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
Speaking on the partnership, Sean Ryan, President of McGraw Hill’s School group, said:
At McGraw Hill, we work with educators to help all students, regardless of background, unlock their full potential. Given we operate within a larger social context, partnerships with well-established and respected institutions can accelerate this vital work. Thus, we’re incredibly proud to partner with Alabama State University to help student-athletes at this world-class institution get ahead of the game toward their future career paths. At the same time, this will help us build a more substantial, more diverse pipeline of professional talent for our company and the broader education industry. Our joint future depends on it.
The Collegiate Athletic Leadership Programme will include monthly workshops led by McGraw Hill team members that will cover:
- Career readiness: Soft skills training and professional etiquette, emphasizing effective business communication, public speaking and corporate presentation.
- Leadership skills: Moving from college to the corporate world by discussing a business growth mindset, critical thinking, financial literacy, problem-solving and avoiding pitfalls.
- Succeeding professionally: Helping students on their path to success by conducting mock interviews, setting up job shadowing for a day, offering one-on-one coaching and identifying strengths and transferable skills that will ensure success, no matter the industry.
To foster a deeper connection, workshops will feature guest speakers from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) or with previous athletic experience. In addition, participants will be introduced to internships and other opportunities at McGraw Hill.
The Collegiate Athletic Leadership Programme is provided to ASU at no cost. It is made possible through a volunteer initiative from McGraw Hill employees spearheaded by an employee-led group called the I.D.E.A. Council, which promotes understanding, respect, equity, and access for others.
Dr Jason Cable, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Alabama State University, added:
At Alabama State University, we seek to fulfil our mission of providing a holistic learning environment that prepares our student-athletes within their four years on campus for the next forty years of their lives. Our collaborative partnership with a global brand like McGraw Hill serves as a blueprint for student-athletes’ development as they prepare to depart the hallowed grounds of ASU. It reflects our commitment to CommUniversity and fostering dynamic relationships that prepare our student-athletes for positive community impact.
McGraw Hill’s engagement with ASU, one of the nation’s oldest higher education institutions founded for Black Americans, underscores the company’s dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences that improve outcomes and opportunities for all students.
Recognizing their diverse needs, McGraw Hill builds trusted content, flexible tools, and robust digital platforms to help them achieve success on their terms. Its commitment to equity and inclusion fosters a culture of belonging that respects and reflects the diversity of the communities and educators it serves. The company has over 30 offices across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Its learning solutions for PreK-12, higher education, and others are available in over 80 languages.
