Total Osprey: A Digital Badge Program for Enhancing College Student-Athlete Career Readiness

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: College Student-Athlete Development, Well-being, Academic and Career Engagement

Abstract

This study examines Total Osprey, a digital badge program designed to enhance career readiness among NCAA Division I student-athletes. Grounded in Identity Theory, Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Competency-Based Education, the program supports identity transition and skill articulation through modular, verifiable micro-credentials. A mixed-methods evaluation of the pilot cohort (N=289) revealed strong engagement and promising outcomes in career development, self-efficacy, and job preparation. Results highlight digital badging as a flexible, scalable tool for addressing the unique career challenges student-athletes face. Preliminary findings demonstrate feasibility and relevance, with implications for national replication. This work contributes to the scholarship on student-athlete development and provides a practical model for integrating career preparation within collegiate athletics.

Authors

• Shujin Zhong, University of North Florida

• Jennifer Jackson Kane, University of North Florida

• Tara Sunquist, University of North Florida