Graduate Student-Athletes Balance Academics and Athletics

by Jordan Orris

Student-athletes are always hardworking, motivated, and talented. But add graduate school responsibilities on top of being a senior athlete with lots of playing time, along with class, studying, and practices, and it’s a heavy load. You can count the number of graduate student-athletes at UM on two hands. These amazing people are excellent both on the field (or court, or track…) and in the classroom.

Student-athletes are eligible to continue competing in intercollegiate athletics after they receive a bachelor’s degree as long as they have remaining eligibility. According to the NCAA, about 2300 student-athletes advance to postgraduate education each year, whether at their undergraduate institution or transferring to another institution. UM currently has 10 graduate students that have played, or will receive playing time during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Gabrielle Little is a MBA student and a women’s soccer player. She is from Collierville, Tennessee and is a forward on the team, as well as team captain. This past season, she scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament (11/3). Not only does she dominate the field, but she finds time to be an officer in the MBA program, along with her studies. “As our class Vice President of Community Service, Gabby exhibits excellent leadership skills and is a wonderful ambassador for our MBA program. She recently coordinated class efforts to participate in Adopt-A-Basket. We are proud of her accomplishments both in and outside of the classroom,” says Ashley McGee, Director of MBA Administration.

Leah Mulkey is also pursuing an MBA and is a women’s volleyball player. From Austin, Texas, she appeared in 103 sets during the 2019 season. Dr. Walter Davis, the MBA Faculty Director shares about Leah:  “Leah exhibits herself as a leader in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.  We are proud to have she and the rest of our student athletes in the program!”

“We have a member of the Ole Miss Rebel Football team in our program, Jack Propst. He came into the program with his eyes wide open on the demands that he would meet. He is organized, industrious and goal-driven with his sights on a future career in business.  He is a wonderful asset to the Ole Miss MBA program,” said Lila Neely, the MBA Program Coordinator. Jack Propst is a long snapper on the football team and is from Brentwood, Tennessee.

Shandricka Sessom is a graduate student in the Health Promotion program and a former women’s basketball player. She is from Byhalia, Mississippi, and was a guard on the team, finishing with the 2018-2019 season. Dr. Allison Ford-Wade, Professor of Health Promotion shares that “Shandricka has been able to balance athletics and her courses by staying after class to ask questions, clarify assignments, etc. She understands that she must work hard in the classroom as a graduate student. She is a great communicator. We have enjoyed having her in our Master of Science in Health Promotion Program. She always has a smile on her face and is a joy to have in class.”

 

This is a current list of graduate student-athletes: