VIDEO: Helping UK Student-Athletes Succeed On and Off the Field
Video Produced by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click on the "thought bubble" in the same area.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 29, 2017) — When Jon Ross is asked about his favorite part of working as an academic counselor at the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS), his answer has little to do with what happens on the field and everything to do with what happens in the classroom.
In his main role as an academic counselor for the UK football team, he says the highlight of his job is graduation day.
"To see students who come in and after four years, they achieve their goals and you see that smile on their face, and they are there with their families," said Ross. "I mean, there’s something about just seeing them reach their dreams."
As a member of the UK football team, UK Public Relations and Marketing intern Kendall Randolph knows firsthand about the impact Ross has on student-athletes.
For his internship project, he wanted to showcase a side of athletics many outside of the university don't see — the importance of academics and the dedicated employees who work tirelessly to counsel student-athletes like Randolph.
Randolph sat down with Ross to talk about the balancing act student-athletes like himself must make and why this father of five is so dedicated to impacting lives long after players' playing days are finished.
Watch the video above to see Ross in action as he counsels UK quarterback Stephen Johnson.
This video feature is part of our new UKNow series, “Kentucky’s Heartbeat — the pulse of our institution.” The goal is to highlight the people who are working every day to help each and every student succeed inside and outside of the classroom.
If you know of someone who you think should be featured because of his or her dedication to the student experience, please email us. Who knows? We might just choose your suggestion for our next feature on UKNow!
