As part of FAMU's restructuring process, the Athletics Department has reestablished its own in-house academic counseling center. For the past few years the department's academic support system was admisinstered by the School of General Studies.The new center is directed by Brandi Tatum, who also doubles as the head coach of the FAMU cheerleaders.
Tatum, a FAMU alumna, comes with a wealth of experience. She was hired away from Florida State University (FSU), where she served as the coordinator of academic programs for the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement. Her responsibilities included assisting students with academic advisement, graduation preparation, and career planning. Additionally, Tatum ran FSU's Summer Bridge Program, a service that guided rising freshmen through the transition process into college life.
Travis Green and Anthony Williams will assist Tatum as members of the athletics counseling staff. Green, a FAMU alumnus and former football quarterback, has worked on the athletic counseling and advisement team since 2004. Williams formerly worked in student services at Southern Illinois University, where his duties included monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes.
Reestablishing the student athletes academic counseling center in the athletic department will give athletics more control over the center's hours and offerings. It will also ensure that the program directly meets the needs of FAMU athletes. The center is located on the second floor of the Jake Gaither Athletic Complex and features a study hall facility and a computer lab.