10/22/2026 10:00:00 AM | General, Student-Athlete Center for Excellence
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida Assistant Athletics Director of Academic Support Services Tara Sunquist received the 2026 Excellence In Innovation Award: College Athletics, announced by Insight Into Academia magazine on Thursday.Â
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The honor celebrates distinguished staff members from colleges and universities who shape the future of intercollegiate athletics through forward-thinking programs, initiatives, operations and partnerships. Areas of innovation include support for student-athlete success, NIL (name, image, and likeness) education, sports science, performance, community engagement, technology use and more.
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Insight Into Academia magazine selected the "University of North Florida Total Osprey: A Digital Badge Program for Student-Athlete Career Development and Post-Graduation Readiness" due to its ability to prepare student-athletes through the combination of digital credentialing, leadership development, career readiness education, experiential learning and emerging technologies into a comprehensive, scalable model. Developed through a collaborative partnership between University of North Florida Athletics and University of North Florida career services, academic leadership and campus partners, the Total Osprey Badge Program offers a comprehensive, flexible approach to career readiness and leadership development.Â
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Through University of North Florida's Canvas Credentials platform, student-athletes earn verifiable digital badges that validate professional competencies and showcase transferable competencies, including leadership, communication, teamwork, resilience, and critical thinking, to future employers that can be shared with employers through LinkedIn, resumes and professional portfolios. The program has demonstrated exceptional engagement, with more than 85 percent of invited student-athletes enrolled during its pilot phase and more than 350 student-athletes currently enrolled. Total Osprey's innovative integration of AI-supported resume and interview preparation, cross-campus collaboration and workforce-focused credentialing provides a replicable framework that helps student-athletes translate the valuable skills developed through collegiate athletics into meaningful career opportunities after graduation.
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The program's scalable, modular design allows student-athletes across all sports and academic disciplines to participate at their own pace while balancing their athletic and academic commitments. With an emphasis on professional development, community engagement, and individualized growth, the program empowers student-athletes to tailor their experiences to their interests and career aspirations. Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow has been a key supporter of the initiative, providing incentives to encourage badge completion. University of North Florida Athletics looks forward to celebrating the first recipients of the Total Osprey Badge in 2026–27.
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"The Total Osprey Program provides flexible opportunities for leadership development, career readiness, community engagement and professional growth, while recognizing the unique demands of athletics," Sunquist said. "Through the badging initiative at the University of North Florida, our student-athletes can translate their athletic, academic and service experiences into meaningful credentials that resonate with future employers. The 2026 Excellence In Innovation Award: College Athletics is a tremendous honor, and we're proud that the Total Osprey Program has been recognized as a transformative and innovative approach to student-athlete development."
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As a result, the University of North Florida will be featured in the November 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.
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About Insight Into Academia
For more than 50 years, Insight Into Academia has empowered higher education leaders by defining and advancing the best practices shaping the future of the academy. Across its magazine, podcast, webinars, awards, and digital platforms, Insight spotlights the institutions, initiatives, and ideas driving progress across higher education. Through thought-provoking articles, expert advice, valuable resources, and in-depth profiles of top programs, Insight helps higher education understand what's working and what comes next. Recognition by Insight Into Academia reflects leadership, innovation, and a commitment to evidence-based excellence. To learn more, visit www.Insightintoacademia.com.
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The honor celebrates distinguished staff members from colleges and universities who shape the future of intercollegiate athletics through forward-thinking programs, initiatives, operations and partnerships. Areas of innovation include support for student-athlete success, NIL (name, image, and likeness) education, sports science, performance, community engagement, technology use and more.
Â
Insight Into Academia magazine selected the "University of North Florida Total Osprey: A Digital Badge Program for Student-Athlete Career Development and Post-Graduation Readiness" due to its ability to prepare student-athletes through the combination of digital credentialing, leadership development, career readiness education, experiential learning and emerging technologies into a comprehensive, scalable model. Developed through a collaborative partnership between University of North Florida Athletics and University of North Florida career services, academic leadership and campus partners, the Total Osprey Badge Program offers a comprehensive, flexible approach to career readiness and leadership development.Â
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Through University of North Florida's Canvas Credentials platform, student-athletes earn verifiable digital badges that validate professional competencies and showcase transferable competencies, including leadership, communication, teamwork, resilience, and critical thinking, to future employers that can be shared with employers through LinkedIn, resumes and professional portfolios. The program has demonstrated exceptional engagement, with more than 85 percent of invited student-athletes enrolled during its pilot phase and more than 350 student-athletes currently enrolled. Total Osprey's innovative integration of AI-supported resume and interview preparation, cross-campus collaboration and workforce-focused credentialing provides a replicable framework that helps student-athletes translate the valuable skills developed through collegiate athletics into meaningful career opportunities after graduation.
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The program's scalable, modular design allows student-athletes across all sports and academic disciplines to participate at their own pace while balancing their athletic and academic commitments. With an emphasis on professional development, community engagement, and individualized growth, the program empowers student-athletes to tailor their experiences to their interests and career aspirations. Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow has been a key supporter of the initiative, providing incentives to encourage badge completion. University of North Florida Athletics looks forward to celebrating the first recipients of the Total Osprey Badge in 2026–27.
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"The Total Osprey Program provides flexible opportunities for leadership development, career readiness, community engagement and professional growth, while recognizing the unique demands of athletics," Sunquist said. "Through the badging initiative at the University of North Florida, our student-athletes can translate their athletic, academic and service experiences into meaningful credentials that resonate with future employers. The 2026 Excellence In Innovation Award: College Athletics is a tremendous honor, and we're proud that the Total Osprey Program has been recognized as a transformative and innovative approach to student-athlete development."
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As a result, the University of North Florida will be featured in the November 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.
Â
About Insight Into Academia
For more than 50 years, Insight Into Academia has empowered higher education leaders by defining and advancing the best practices shaping the future of the academy. Across its magazine, podcast, webinars, awards, and digital platforms, Insight spotlights the institutions, initiatives, and ideas driving progress across higher education. Through thought-provoking articles, expert advice, valuable resources, and in-depth profiles of top programs, Insight helps higher education understand what's working and what comes next. Recognition by Insight Into Academia reflects leadership, innovation, and a commitment to evidence-based excellence. To learn more, visit www.Insightintoacademia.com.
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22
