Carlson ready to help student-athletes achieve success

Ask Kara Carlson what her favorite sport is, and she immediately gives three—basketball, baseball and football. “But it’s hard to choose because I love all sports!” says the Kent City, Michigan, native.

Coming to USI as the Director of Academic and Support Services in Athletics Administration under USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall, Carlson is looking to add to a student’s experience on campus by acting as a liaison between Athletics, each of USI’s four colleges, the USI Center for Exploring Majors advising centers and the USI Registrar. But most importantly, she acts as a resource for the student-athletes, helping them when it comes to registering for classes and ensuring they are on track with coursework and eligibility requirements for being a part of a USI athletic team.

“I’m different than an advisor because I won’t advise on specific classes a student-athlete should be taking,” Carlson explains. “I am here to make sure the classes they are taking and their credits align with their eligibility requirements.”

Carlson is no stranger to working with collegiate athletes—she spent the 2021-22 season as an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Evansville. She also had three successful seasons at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) (2018-21) and helped guide the team to a 71-13 mark; GVSU also appeared in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional each of her three years as an assistant.

“The thing I enjoy most about working with student-athletes is hearing about their stories, where they are from, what brought them to USI, how they started playing their sport,” says Carlson. “I have also been so impressed with student-athletes and the way they are able to play their sport at a high level and work hard in the classroom. They really balance a lot, and I admire that about them all.”

Moving into Division I is an exciting time for the University, and Carlson says she is ready to be a part of the historic move, especially as more student-athletes kick-off their first seasons in Division I play. “It’s a great opportunity for USI Athletics to continue to grow and compete at a high level,” she says.

“I’m excited to join USI Athletics because the people here are great. The student-athletes, coaches and everyone in the Athletic Department is committed to achieving success and maintaining academic excellence,” Carlson adds.

Carlson is located in the Athletic Offices the Screaming Eagles Complex, and can be reached at kecarlson1@usi.edu or 812-464-1831.