Five Factors for STEER Success
STEER for Student Athletes
STEER provides mentorship & services to ensure student-athletes thrive socially, academically, and athletically.
These Five Things Make all the Difference for Success at STEER for Student Athletes
Over the past ten years, STEER for Student Athletes has positively impacted the lives of dozens of high school student-athletes. STEER boasts a 100% on-time four-year graduation rate and college acceptance rate amongst the students served. According to Chief Executive Officer and Founder Dr. Joseph Durney, this success is due to five key factors.
1. ? ? ? Embracing an Asset-Based Lens?
While all the students hail from high-need schools, Dr. Durney expresses how STEER leadership focuses on the student's strengths. "We see our students as at-promise, not at-risk," says Durney. "We believe talent is equally distributed in all demographics, but opportunity is not. With sport as the vehicle to empower students to achieve their potential, we identify those with great promise and support their success".?
2. ? ? ? Institutionally Embedded Mentorship
Mentorship is valuable to students, but according to Durney, specific conditions are necessary for success. "Our mentoring program is embedded in the school, and mentors are highly qualified educators who know the organization and the resources available to students." This mentorship is profoundly more impactful. Durney points to research conducted by J.E. Rhodes. In her book Older and Wiser (2020), she states, "[H]aving a school, or other institutionally connective mentor was associated with higher educational attainment and higher household incomes twenty years later, while family and neighborhood mentors conferred none of these benefits." Durney says the mentors (called advisors) are the "special sauce" of the program
3. ? ? ? Personalized programming
STEER programming is tailored for each student. Dr. Durney explains that mentors work with full-time STEER staff to identify the specific needs of students in three main areas: athletics, mental skills, and academics. An individualized support plan is developed for each student and serves as the basis for ongoing progress monitoring centered on student-specific goals. Outcomes are measured, and plans are regularly revised.?
4. ? ? ? Network of Community Partners
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Leveraging partnerships for collective impact is crucial. STEER leverages several partnerships with school and community-based organizations to support the students. Dr. Durney points out that "engaging in asset mapping of resources for students in the respective community is key. When organizations collaborate for similar purposes, the sky's the limit!"
5. ? ? ? A Community of Financial Support
STEER for Student Athletes is a nonprofit organization that relies on funding from donors, foundations, and grants. Durney points out that developing a community of financial support is critical to ensure the program's success. "As a former public school district leader, I know funding is essential and must be optimized to honor the donors' intentions. We are fortunate to have many who appreciate how sport can be a vehicle in a student's life to promote positive life outcomes. Without that support, the program can't exist".
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To learn more about STEER for Student Athletes, Inc, visit their website or contact them at [email protected]
Dr. Joseph Durney
Chief Executive Officer
Steer For Student Athletes