Case Studies
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a major public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, known for its urban campus and wide range of academic offerings. With an enrollment of around 23,000 to 24,000 students, it is one of the largest and most diverse universities in the U.S., offering more than 370 academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Wayne State combines comprehensive academic excellence with community engagement and career preparation, making it a significant presence in American higher education. Semester Student Planner is now moving into its second year of partnership with Wayne State, building on a strong first year and a relationship that continues to grow.
The Challenge
Wayne State University Athletics Department were experiencing a unique challenge.
Wayne State University's Student-Athlete Support Services, known as Warrior RISE, exists to support the academic success and holistic wellbeing of student-athletes across the university's 17 varsity programs. As part of that mission, the university had tried building its own booklet in-house to bring the student-athlete handbook to life in a practical, everyday format.
The result fell short of what student-athletes needed. The quality and content weren't strong enough to hold their attention, and many students tossed the booklet aside within the first few weeks, meaning the handbook information it contained rarely got used or was not easy to get a hold of.
Wayne State needed a tool built to a standard that student-athletes would actually want to keep and use throughout the year, one that could carry the handbook content in a way that felt genuinely useful rather than another piece of paperwork.
The Approach
Semester Student Planner worked with Wayne State University's Student-Athlete Support Services to build a custom student-athlete planner, incorporating the student-athlete handbook into a format built to a standard that student-athletes would actually want to use, rather than one they'd toss aside after the first few weeks.
Now moving into year two of the partnership, the scope has expanded to include:
- A custom student-athlete planner for all student athletes. 480 in total.
- An in-person keynote for student-athletes
- Group coaching sessions for student-athletes
- Coach the coach sessions, helping coaches across each team understand the best ways to implement the custom planners into day-to-day activities, so the tool actively drives improved academic and athletic performance
This deeper, more hands-on approach reflects a partnership that has grown from a single product into an integrated part of how Wayne State supports its student-athletes, on and off the field.
What We Delivered
A snapshopt of what was provided:
- Number of planners designed and delivered: 480
- Student population: Full-time on campus students
- Academic year: 2025–2027
- Delivery format: Physical planners (custom student-athlete planners)
- Keynotes included: Yes
- In-person or virtual coaching: Yes
What They Said
What the Institution Said
Impact
While formal survey data from this partnership is still being gathered, the qualitative response so far has been strongly positive:
- Coaches have noted greater cohesion within their teams, with the planners giving student-athletes a shared framework for managing their time and priorities
- Student-Athlete Support Services staff have reported that the planners and accompanying trainings have reinforced the department's wider approach to holistic wellbeing
- Feedback from student-athletes has been consistently positive, with many finding the planner supports both their athletic and academic commitments
Wayne State and Semester Student Planner are continuing to build on this early momentum as the partnership moves into its second year.
Location
Institution Location
- Detroit, Michigan, United States
The Result
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