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Herbst Academic Center Overview

The Herbst Academic Center supports all CU student-athletes and instills a commitment to academic, personal, and professional success. Our staff upholds the core values of integrity, teamwork, and excellence while developing independent, lifelong learners. We foster individuals of high character who are positive role models and productive members of society.

Our Mission

The Herbst Academic Center will be a premier academic support unit for student-athletes by providing an unparalleled level of service in an inclusive community, defined by excellence in the areas of good academic standing, retention, and graduation rates.

Supporting Student Athletes at CU

Students who are varsity athletes experience college much differently than those who are not. Travel for competition in all sports interrupts regular study routines and class attendance. Additionally, when athletes are in town, team practices, weight training, film study, and scouting reports are consistently part of weekly coaching expectations. For these reasons, the Herbst Academic Center maintains a brisk flow of traffic in and out of its office space on the second floor of the Dal Ward Athletic Center. Academic Coordinators in the Herbst Center partner with campus Academic Advisors to assist students in putting together an academic schedule that progresses towards undergraduate degrees, yet still allows flexibility for athletes to be present for practices and competition.

In addition, the Herbst Center maintains 35 stations in the computer lab for use by athletes. Laptops can be checked out for overnight travel or weekend use. Subject tutors frequent the study areas, and computer lab in order to be accessible to student-athletes.

The Herbst Academic Center is named after Clancy A. Herbst, Jr., a former swimmer and student at the University of Colorado. Mr. Herbst has donated resources so that the academic center can provide each athlete with additional academic support while they compete and represent the University of Colorado.

Herbst Academic Center Support Positions

Academic Coordinators

  • Provide incoming student-athletes a departmental orientation to help ease the transition from high school to college.
  • Monitor NCAA, Big 12 and CU academic eligibility standards.
  • Act as a liaison with campus advisors and faculty members.
  • Assist student-athletes with priority registration for the fall, spring and summer terms.
  • Help student-athletes set specific objectives for study hall hours based upon course syllabi.
  • Monitor progress on academic objectives.
  • Monitor course progress.
  • Communicate with coaches about whether academic obligations are being met, including grades, tutoring appointments, academic meetings and study hall hours.
  • Help student-athletes connect with department, campus and community resources.

Academic Mentors

Each first year student-athlete is assigned an Academic Mentor to aid them in their pursuit of academic skill development. Academic Mentors serve student-athletes at CU Boulder through the following services. 
  • Helping facilitate the student-athlete’s academic transition to college
  • Motivating students to actively engage in their college life by promoting the importance of academic success
  • Educating students about academic integrity, academic fraud and everything related to academic dishonesty
  • Providing general academic guidance, not specific subject tutoring
  • Assist students in organizing their time, priorities, and obligations
  • Teach executive skills such as goal setting, time management, organization and prioritization using the curriculum in the Mentor Packet and other resources
  • Educating students how to create attainable and measurable  academic objectives
  • Providing general academic guidance, not specific subject tutoring
  • Teaching academic accountability to student-athletes through academic counseling strategies
  • Communicating regularly with Academic Coordinators

Learning Specialist

Learning specialists provide support to students with both learning disabilities and learning deficiencies. Skill building in the areas of reading, writing and test taking are the primary areas of focus for Learning Specialists. In addition, assistance is provided in securing and implementing accommodations that may be awarded through the CU Office of Disability Services.

Learning Facilitator

Learning facilitators are another layer of academic support to assist student-athletes as they transition into college life.  Learning facilitators serve student-athletes through the following services.
  • Supervise and maintain appropriate study hall work environment
  • Facilitate a positive learning environment conducive for optimal academic performance.
  • Assist student-athletes in the development of their weekly academic objectives.
  • Communicate with Academic Coordinators and Learning Specialist regarding student-athlete academic performance.

Subject Tutor

As part of the HAC tutoring program, CU Student-athletes have access to a variety of subject tutors. Tutors are expert learning resources and serve student-athletes through the following services.
  • Facilitate student’s learning of the concepts and methods required to tackle course assessments
  • Provide one-on-one or small group tutoring to students to assist them in understanding the academic subject material by utilizing specialized backgrounds for which they were hired
  • Compile and provide timely and accurate reports to HAC staff
  • Hold students accountable through consistent supervision and reporting