At UDA, our commitment to student success goes beyond the pitch. To help our students develop personal and professional growth during their university experience and beyond, we developed the Dream Maker Program alongside the UDA SUCCESS Foundation. The Dream Maker Program is dedicated to fostering the personal and professional growth of our student-athletes, helping them collaborate with their universities’ career and employability resources so they can grow their employability opportunities post graduation. Developed and led by Dr. Scott Johnson, in alignment with the visionary goals set by UDA founder Dr. Brian Haley, this program aims to equip UDA students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields. The UDA Circle of SuccessThe Dream Maker Program is designed to provide UDA students with a holistic approach to personal and professional development. By offering mentorship, guidance, and resources, the program sets UDA students on a path to success. From their university studies to post-graduation, students benefit from the expertise and support provided by the program. Supporting Career DevelopmenT The Dream Maker Program collaborates closely with the Careers Offices and Employability Resources of universities our students attend. This collaboration offers our students ongoing individual student relationships, group conversations, presentations, support building a portfolio, application guidance, job search tools, and advice and insight from alumni and industry experts. With these resources, our students are prepared with the necessary tools to navigate the job market successfully. Meet Dr. Scott Johnson, CEO of the UDA SUCCESS Foundation Heading the Dream Maker Program is Dr. Scott Johnson. Holding a Ph.D. in management and marketing from Arizona State University, an MBA in international business from the University of San Francisco, and a BS in business administration-marketing from California State University, Fresno, Dr. Johnson brings a diverse range of knowledge to the program.
Having taught at the University of Greenwich in the UK, Dr. Johnson has a deep understanding of the European academic landscape. His experience in designing professional development and leadership courses, building external partnerships, and conducting assessment centers and team-building activities for students has equipped him with invaluable insights into employability. Dr. Johnson's extensive background as a marketing executive and his three-decade-long tenure as a professor, program director, and business school Dean have allowed him to advise hundreds of students on career preparation and oversee their internships. By leveraging each student's unique experiences and strengths, Dr. Johnson fosters their career readiness competencies through supportive feedback and networking opportunities. Our Dream Maker Program demonstrates our commitment to the comprehensive development of our student-athletes. Through close collaboration with universities, personalized mentorship, and access to industry insights, the program equips UDA students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success. Under the guidance of Dr. Scott Johnson, the Dream Maker Program has become a cornerstone of UDA's commitment to empowering its students both during their university journey and beyond. For more information about the Dream Maker Program, please reach out to Dr. Scott Johnson at sjohnson@udasuccess.org.
0 Comments
We are thrilled to announce the inaugural First Annual UDA All-Star Iceland Showcase! In January 2024, top players from UDA Soccer Academies in the USA and UK will gather in the land of ice and fire for an extraordinary display of talent and sportsmanship. Taking place in Iceland, renowned for its rich football culture and breathtaking landscapes, this event promises to be a true celebration of UDA Soccer excellence. From captivating matches against elite Icelandic U19 teams to immersive training sessions with esteemed Icelandic coaches, our players will have the opportunity to shine on a global stage. But the UDA All-Star Iceland Showcase isn't just about the competition. It's a journey of cultural exploration and personal growth. Participants will embark on the unforgettable "Golden Circle Tour," visiting iconic natural wonders such as Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. They will also indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation at The Sky Lagoon, a remarkable geothermal pool and spa. UDA Soccer is proud to provide this incredible opportunity for our talented returning athletes to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and create lasting memories. We can't wait to witness the magic unfold on the pitches of Iceland! UDA Soccer - Pathway to the Professional Game. TENTATIVE SCHEDULEThursday, January 4 –
Friday, January 5 –
Saturday, January 6 –
Sunday January 7 –
Monday January 8 –
Man City vs Bayern Munich UDA at the University of Gloucestershire were fortunate to secure 26 tickets for the above game. Players, staff, and parents were in attendance! Even though it was a cold, wet, and windy day in North West England, the football on show certainly lit up our faces, but sadly not the skies! We started our journey with a huddle of Manchester City fans on board, with others reminiscing about past glories about their team, or future potential glories!
The buoyant mood of the group could be heard above the chorus of "Blue Moon" playing over the speakers. "This is by far the best live game I've ever seen." said Dave Nichols, Head of Coaching. Although it was a long day, departing at 2:00 pm and returning back on campus at 2:30 am, we hope to do it again for the semi-final. Will it be the mighty Real Madrid, or Chelsea? Recently, Aidan Harris, one of our UDA Gloucester goalkeepers was asked to train with the Gloucester City AFC First Team.
We welcomed recruits from across the country to spend 10 days with us to learn more about UDA, the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester City AFC, and get a taste of British culture during our Women's Thanksgiving Tour! This week was designed to provide students what a first-hand view of what it's like to study, train and play with UDA. Throughout the course of the week our recruits met both UDA, UoG, and Gloucester City AFC staff. During this time together they were able to ask their burning questions and get an up-close view into what opportunities UDA student-athletes have. Outside of competing in games, attending training sessions, and getting a feel for GCAFC, our students were able to dive into British culture. The tour included trips to Warwick Castle, Stratford Upon Avon, and Gloucester City Cathedral. Some students and their families arrived early to explore London before heading to Gloucester! If you're ready to dive into the UDA student-athlete experience and find a place where you'll live, study, and thrive, this tour is for you. Learn more about our 2023 tourIn less than a month, the UDA UoG team will be stepping onto the pitch. After much preparation, we are so excited to welcome the new players and their families! This season, the Gloucester City U21 team will enter the newly named Herefordshire Football League which will add 18 additional teams to their division this year.
Recapping the 2022 UoG Summer TOurOur first UoG Summer Tour was a success! Last week the students and their families returned home after almost ten days of experiencing UDA, the University of Gloucestershire, and the UK.
As we round out the second semester and first full year at the University of Gloucestershire, we wanted to reflect on the past semester. In January, the second term began with training. At the end of the month the boys had a tremendous opportunity to be coached by a former Premier League coach, Richard O’Kelly.
Following the training session the former Aston Villa number two held a Q&A where he was asked who was the best player he had coached. He answered, without hesitation, that it was Jack Grealish, not only for his incredible talent, but also for his hard work and dedication to the game, noting that Grealish would be out on the practice pitch long after his team mates had left.
The top flight hat-trick was completed with an FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Anfield between Liverpool and Norwich, a chance to experience the atmosphere of this iconic stadium and to see the team who will challenge Man City for the Premier League crown at the end of the season. The boys were sat with the Norwich supporters who sang and chanted throughout the game, providing a taste of the sense of humour of British fans. Liverpool won the game and will be playing Chelsea in the Final at Wembley in May.
We look forward to you all returning after the Easter break and continuing your academic and football success!
Reposted from www.gloucestercityafc.com. Gloucester City AFC are delighted to announce their partnership with University Degrees Abroad (UDA). The American based academy are partnered with the University of Gloucestershire to offer American based students a chance to study abroad whilst also receiving a professional standard experience in several different sports.
The partnership will span across the Gloucester Sport model but has first started with football. Players within the academy will compete for Gloucester City AFC at U21 level, with the club now using that age group differently in their new structure. In return the academy will be helping the club’s local talent to gain sports scholarships to the USA so they can continue studies and play at the highest collegiate level. Gloucester Sport CEO, Jay Marriott said: “I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff and Brian over a number of months and see so many similarities in the values that they run their program. The American player market has been up and coming for a while now and we are excited to open our club to them in order to build the program to the next level. For our academy players this will be a different but great opportunity should they wish to access it to look to travel, study and continue to play at a high level. As we develop our player pathways we want to offer as many opportunities as possible to develop them as a player and a student.” Executive Director of UDA, Brian Haley said: "We are delighted to work with a football club with over 139 years of tradition and history rooted in the community. This opportunity will offer our International students and the youth players at GCAFC opportunities in the UK and USA that will broaden their experiences on and off the pitch. The working relationship will further strengthen the UDA mission for students by providing community engagement as they study at the University of Gloucestershire. Thank you to Jay Marriot for being the architect of this relationship that will enhance the mission, vision and values of our respective organizations" |