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Questions & Answers
Kellie Peiper is student-athlete services coordinator in the Division of Athletics.
What’s the mission of the Office of Student-Athlete Support Services, and in particular the Student-Athlete Services/CHAMPS Life Skills unit?
The mission of the Office of Student-Athlete Services and the CHAMPS program is to offer student-athletes the opportunity to reach their full potential academically, athletically and personally. We are proud to participate in the NCAA-sponsored CHAMPS/Life Skills program, of which UB has been a member since 1995. This program provides educational experiences and services to our student-athletes in order to assist them in developing well-balanced lifestyles.
What is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee?
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a designated group of student-athletes that provides insight on the entire student-athlete experience and offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives.
UB student-athletes take part in a lot of community service activities. Why is that important, both for the student-athletes and the university?
The SAAC coordinates eight community service projects per semester, including internal campus-related projects and external community projects. Each team also conducts at least one community service project per year. It is imperative to the overall student-athlete experience at UB that our athletes have the opportunity to give back and act as role models in the community.
What are some of the other programs/activities offered by Student-Athlete Services?
The CHAMPS program provides workshops to teach organizational and study skills, and offers academic advising and tutoring. The department has created a "home away from home" experience, where all our student-athletes have a place to come for the support they need to be successful. The Bulls Success Center provides an atmosphere where the student-athletes can hold meetings, have group study sessions, use one of the four student computers or just lounge and relax and read a book from the resource library. The CHAMPS/Life Skills program at UB also concentrates on athletic excellence, personal development and career development. To achieve athletic excellence, student-athletes are given the opportunity to take part in leadership training, performance enhancement/mental toughness training, strength training and conditioning, athletic training and other related services. The personal development component also is important to our student-athletes, and UB provides presentations, workshops and individual sessions on such topics as stress management, nutrition, drugs and alcohol, communication skills and other topics related to student-athlete well-being. Finally, as part of the goal of the Office of Student-Athlete Services, we provide our student-athletes with the tools necessary to develop as people throughout their time here. The Office of Career Services is crucial in the success of that goal. Student-athletes are given the opportunity to schedule sessions with Career Services, which offers drop-in counseling hours in the UB Bulls Success Center. There also are online and written career resources, resume and interview-skills training, and other related services available to our student-athletes.
What’s your background? Are you a former student-athlete?
I grew up in Tonawanda and attended Sweet Home High School. I was a competitive swimmer, beginning at age 5. I did my undergraduate work at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology while swimming there. I then pursued a master's degree in sport psychology from Temple University. Having suffered a swimming-related injury in college, I was passionate about studying the psychological aspects of sports injuries and helping other athletes as a career.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working with such a vibrant, energetic, healthy and committed population of young people. The student-athletes inspire me!