As the world of college athletics continues to reshape student athlete experiences, Dr. Jeffrey MacCharles, Assistant Professor of Management at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, is teaming up with researchers at East Carolina University to examine an overlooked dynamic: the relationship between faculty members and student-athletes. The project, which was recently awarded funding by the American Athletic Conference, will research faculty mentorship and perceptions of student-athletes—a timely subject in the era of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, and increasing concerns about student-athlete mental health.

“This research project is focused on understanding more about the dynamic between faculty members and student-athletes,” said Dr. MacCharles. “The student-athlete population is under considerable pressure related to various aspects of their lives, including athletic performance, academic success, and numerous other areas [such as] financial, social, and more. While athletic departments have some support infrastructure in place, faculty members can play a key role in providing additional support to student athletes.”

Faculty members have been reported to perceive the student-athlete population as lazy, unprepared, and unconcerned regarding academics. Faculty mentoring of student-athletes, however, has been established as being key to student-athletes’ academic success and transition to college life. The research will explore how they perceive and engage with student-athletes, how those perceptions influence interactions, and how this affects the student athletes’ pursuit of academic degrees.

Findings can create pathways for faculty advocacy and dispelling student-athlete stigmas, positively impact student-athletes’ academic and social experiences, and aid in student-athlete integration on campus. As the pressures on student-athletes grow, he sees faculty as important partners and mentors in their success.

“College athletics has changed so much over the past five years,” he said. “I’m eager to hear from faculty members about their perceptions of student-athletes, and perhaps how those perceptions have changed in the shadow of significant shifts in how college sport is managed in this country… They are on the front lines of student-athlete support at a time when many student-athletes need additional support mechanisms.”

Dr. MacCharles and his colleagues, Dr. Stacy Warner and Dr. Kindal Shores, will present their research at the AAC Academic Consortium in 2026.

“I believe this research has the potential to have important practical implications that can better the experiences (academic, athletic, and personal) of student-athletes, so I’m eager to get started on this work,” he said.