SALC/Student-Athlete Development

Mission

The FIU Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) is committed to the mission of Conference USA and National Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). We strive to provide a forum for student-athletes to express ideas, concerns, and opinions relating to NCAA and Conference legislation as well as other issues that affect their welfare and experiences at FIU. We value maintaining a positive environment that fosters a healthy relationship between athletic administration and student-athletes and provide an environment that values diversity and gender equity among student-athletes. We value giving back through community outreach and this year's initiative is to "foster the youth", as we partner with our neighboring elementary school with initiatives throughout the year.

SALC E-Board
Bailey Grossenbacher - SAAC

Bailey Grossenbacher, President: Softball
Bailey is a Grad student on the Softball team, pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing. She is a Dean's List honoree and has led the successful initiative of Operation Christmas Child for the third consecutive year. Bailey is also one of two FIU student-athlete representatives in Conference USA for SAAC. This is her fourth year on the SALC, and she serves as Co-Chair for the Top Issues, Future Planning and Events Committee.

Jordan Browning SAAC

Jordan Browning, Vice President: Swimming
Jordan is a Junior swimmer on the Women's Swim & Dive team, pursuing a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. She is Captain of the Swim team, Conference USA team champion, and a member of the FIU Honors College. This is her second year on the SALC and she serves as Co-Chair for the Top Issues & Future Planning Committee.

Gabrielle Bryan - SAAC

Gabbrielle Bryan, Secretary: Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field
Gabby is a Senior thrower on the Women's Track & Field team, pursuing degrees in Biological Sciences and Natural & Applied Sciences. She is third all-time in the Hammer Throw at FIU with a distance of 57.30 meters. Gabby spearheads many initiatives for the SALC including Relay for Life. This is her third year on the SALC, and she serves as Co-Chair for the Diversity, Inclusion, & Student-Athlete Engagement Committee.

Oyin Quadre- SAAC

Oyin Quadre, Media & Communications Coordinator: Tennis
Oyin is a Junior on the Tennis team, pursuing a degree in Psychology. She was the Conference USA Player of the Year. This is her second year on the SALC and she serves as Co-Chair for the Health & Wellness Committee.

Ashton Rivera - SAAC

Ashton Rivera, Events Coordinator: Football
Ashton is a Junior football student-athlete, pursuing a degree in exercise science and psychology. Ashton is Co-Chair of the Conference USA SAAC. This is his second year on the SALC and he also serves as Co-Chair for the Top Issues, Future Planning and Events Committee.

Reagan Bridges - SAAC

Reagan Bridges, Campus Engagement Coordinator: Women's Soccer
Ryan is a Senior on the Women's Soccer team, pursuing her B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Medical Sciences, and a minor in Business. She is a Dean's List honoree and Co-Captain of the Soccer team. This is her third year on the SALC and she serves as Co-Chair for the Health & Safety Committee.

SALC Representatives

Student-Athlete Development Program

Our comprehensive Student Athlete Development programs are designed to support student-athletes in their personal, academic, and professional growth. Through three key pillars— Empowerment & Well-Being, Leadership & Professional Development, and Financial Literacy & Future Planning—we provide the tools and resources needed for success both during and after their athletic careers.

EMPOWERMENT & WELL-BEING
We are dedicated to supporting student-athletes in their mental health and overall well-being. This includes providing access to counseling services, stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, and education on mental health awareness. We focus on assisting student-athletes in exploring their personal identity and values through workshops, reflective exercises, and mentorship programs, fostering self-awareness and purpose-driven goals. By prioritizing wellness and self-care, we support student-athletes in achieving peak performance and overall wellness.

Examples of the programs we provide:
Transitioning Out of Sports
How Marijuana Impacts Athletic Performance
Calming Your Body: Stress Reduction Techniques

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We aim to empower student-athletes to lead effectively by teaching them essential communication, decision-making, and teamwork skills. Additionally, we provide support for career readiness and professional development, including workshops, internships, networking events, and career counseling. This ensures student-athletes can develop critical skills such as interview preparation and job search strategies, equipping them for success in their chosen careers. We also emphasize the importance of networking and effective communication to further enhance their professional growth.
Examples of the programs we provide:

Academy of Leaders Program
Careers in Sports Panel
Mock Madness: Interview Prep

FINANCIAL LITERACY & FUTURE PLANNING
We provide a wide range of programs and resources aimed at enhancing financial literacy, cultivating responsible financial habits, and planning for future goals. We also prepare our student-athletes for the financial responsibilities and challenges they may encounter after graduation, covering topics such as repaying student loans, retirement basics, and planning for major life milestones such as buying a car or home. By establishing knowledge, skills, and resources, we empower our student-athletes to make informed decisions and achieve financial independence with confidence and resilience.
Examples of the programs we provide:

Preparing for Finances After College
Avoiding Emotional Spending
Establishing Credit & Staying Out of Debt

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
At FIU, we believe that transformative education extends beyond the classroom. Our student-athletes are committed to fostering engagement through a diverse array of events and initiatives that connect us to our communities and elevate our collective mission.
Participation in signature events such as ROARthon, the Out of Darkness Walk, and Relay for Life showcases our dedication to social responsibility, uniting Panthers in their pursuit of meaningful change. FIU student-athletes contribute to the local community by volunteering at local elementary schools, organizing toy drives, and supporting youth in little leagues. They also engage in adaptive sports initiatives, ensuring that individuals with varying physical and developmental abilities have access to inclusive athletic experiences.

SENIOR TRANSITION PROGRAM
The Senior Transition Program prepares graduating student-athletes for their transition from college to the next phase of their lives. Graduates are not just prepared for the workforce, but informed and empowered to make strategic decisions about their future.
Upon completion of the requirements, graduating student-athletes will be eligible to receive a complimentary
business suit to enhance their professional appearance for interviews and workplace settings.

Requirements may include:

Handshake – Accept invitation and complete profile
LinkedIn – Complete profile and connect with 15 people
Resume – Submit resume (must have been critiqued by FIU Career & Talent Development)
iGrad – Complete Planning for Retirement and Assessing your Insurance Needs
Workshops – Complete workshops via LinkedIn Learning
Career Liaison Meeting – Receive industry-specific career advising
Life Goals Worksheet – 1 page reflection on your personal and professional goals

FIU Coach or student-athlete? CLICK HERE if you're interested in requesting a guest speaker or workshop for your team!

Are you a community partner interested in collaborating with FIU student-athletes? CLICK HERE to share your information!

Dr. Paul D. Gallagher Community Service Award

This award is named for Dr. Gallagher, who was instrumental in the development of the athletic department and the establishment of the football program at FIU. This award recognizes the team that has accumulated the most community service points. Points are calculated by dividing the total number of completed community service hours and the total number of student-athletes on the team. Through this point system small teams can fairly compete against larger teams. Rankings are updated monthly and the final winner is announced at the annual Athletic Academic Awards Banquet.

The process for requesting student-athlete(s) for community service:

Complete the online request form at least two weeks prior to request date.

The request will be electronically submitted to compliance for approval of the request.

You will be contacted by the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Community Relations with notice of approval/denial.

The Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Community Relations will work to accommodate your request; however please keep in mind student-athletes have challenging schedules and we may not be able to fulfill your request.

As a reminder, there are several NCAA guidelines to which we must adhere. These include limiting participation to events within 30 miles of FIU and restricting involvement with students to those in the eighth grade or younger (6th grade and below for basketball).

Examples of approved activities for student-athletes:

Visit schools, grades k-8 (starting Fall 2011 grades k-6th for basketball)

Visit hospitals

Participate in non-profit agency's events

Examples of activities that cannot be approved for student-athletes:

Visit high schools

Distribute tickets to sporting events

Donate auction items

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SALC/Student-Athlete Development