University of Houston Athletics
Dominic and Ellen Ng Houston Athletics Academic Center for Excellence
Academic Services at the University of Houston is committed to supporting student-athletes in their primary goal of earning a college degree while competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics. The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides comprehensive academic support designed to help Houston student-athletes succeed in the classroom, maintain academic eligibility, progress toward graduation and prepare for life beyond college.
The Dominic and Ellen Ng Academic Center for Excellence serves more than 400 University of Houston student-athletes across 17 varsity sports. Located in the Athletics/Alumni Center, ACE brings together academic advising, learning support, tutoring and student-athlete development to provide a comprehensive, student-centered approach to academic success. ACE currently includes a team of eight full-time staff members serving across academic services, learning support, student-athlete development, and administrative operations.
In addition to its full-time staff, ACE utilizes a broader Strategic Learning Team comprised of learning specialists, academic coaches and tutors who provide individualized and subject-specific academic support to student-athletes. This layered support model allows ACE to provide both proactive academic intervention and individualized assistance based on each student-athlete's academic needs. The Strategic Learning Team works with student-athletes throughout their collegiate careers, from their transition to the University through graduation, with an emphasis on developing effective study habits, organization, time management, test preparation, and independent learning skills.
Academic Counseling
Houston student-athletes meet regularly with their academic advisors to monitor academic progress, discuss degree requirements, plan course schedules, and stay on track for graduation. Academic advisors provide individualized support and connect student-athletes with campus resources to promote academic success and maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with University of Houston, Big 12 Conference and NCAA requirements.
Advisors work closely with student-athletes, coaches, faculty and campus partners to address academic concerns, develop individualized success plans, and ensure student-athletes are progressing toward their degrees.
Learning Support
Student-athletes who benefit from additional academic support have access to the Learning Support Services team within the Academic Center for Excellence. Learning specialists and academic coaches work individually with student-athletes to develop skills that promote academic independence and success.
Support may include:
- Note-taking strategies
- Reading comprehension
- Test preparation and test-taking strategies
- Study skills
- Time management
- Organization and planning
- Executive functioning skills
- Academic accountability
- Transition-to-college support
- Individualized academic strategies
Learning Support Services also works with the Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center to help coordinate appropriate academic accommodations for student-athletes with documented disabilities and ensure students relate to available University resources.
Tutoring
Tutoring is a key component of the academic support provided through ACE. Student-athletes have access to trained tutors who provide individual and small-group assistance across a wide range of undergraduate courses.
Tutoring support is available in subject areas including:
- Mathematics: College Algebra, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, and other quantitative courses
- Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, and related courses
- Business: Accounting, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Management, and other business courses
- Computer Science and Technology: Programming, Computer Science, and related courses
- Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, and related courses
- Humanities: English, History, Philosophy, Communication, and related courses
- Foreign Languages: Spanish and other language courses based on student need
- Major-specific courses: Tutoring support is also coordinated for upper-level courses within individual academic programs when qualified tutors are available
Tutors receive training and operate in accordance with University of Houston academic integrity policies and applicable Big 12 Conference and NCAA rules and regulations.
Study Hall
ACE provides structured study opportunities designed to help student-athletes establish consistent academic routines and successfully manage the demands of collegiate athletics. Study hall expectations are determined based on individual academic needs, team expectations and the requirements established by Academic Services.
Student-athletes may be assigned structured study hours and weekly academic objectives in collaboration with their academic advisor and/or learning support staff. Study hall requirements may vary based on a student-athlete's academic standing, year in school, team expectations, and individual academic plan.
Priority Registration
Student-athletes work with their university academic advisors and ACE academic advisors to plan appropriate course schedules, understand degree requirements, and remain on track for graduation.
Priority registration provides eligible student-athletes with an opportunity to register for classes earlier than the general student population. This helps student-athletes build schedules that balance academic requirements with the demands of training, competition, and team travel.
Student Athlete Development
Academic advising and learning support are complemented by Student-Athlete Development, which provide opportunities for Houston student-athletes with intentional opportunities to develop leadership, career readiness, financial literacy, professional skills, communication, networking, community engagement, and other life skills. Through workshops, programming, experiential learning, and engagement opportunities, student-athletes are prepared to maximize their collegiate experience, build meaningful connections, and successfully transition into life and careers after athletics.
Facilities
The Dominic and Ellen Ng Academic Center for Excellence, located in the Athletics/Alumni Center, provides a dedicated academic environment for Houston student-athletes. ACE includes dedicated spaces for individual study, group collaboration, tutoring, academic advising, and learning support. The center is designed to provide a professional and focused environment where student-athletes can study, meet with academic staff and access the resources necessary to succeed academically.
ACADEMICS STAFF
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| Tatjana Banjeglav Associate AD Academic Services |
Angel Shamblin Assistant AD Academic Services |
Lori Selzer Director Academic Services |
Khari Dotson Director Student-Athlete Dev. |
Emily Chiang Director Learning Services |
Leah Siegel Director Academic Services |
Pam Needs Assistant Director Academic Services |
Fatima Salazar Administrative Assistant |