TOLEDO, OH – Ashleigh Hayes has been hired as the learning specialist and tutorial coordinator in the Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) office at the University of Toledo, UT assistant athletic director for academic services Ericka Lavender announced on Wednesday.

SAAS is a student-centered, university resource that reports to the Provost's office and is located in the Larimer Athletic Complex. Hayes will monitor the academic tutoring needs of all Rocket student-athletes and will serve as a resource and support system to any individuals who may have learning concerns.

"We are very excited to have Ashleigh join the student-athlete support services team," said Lavender. "Ashleigh brings an outside perspective along with new ideas that will help us better serve our students-athletes on a daily basis. She has hit the ground running and has made some positive changes within our area already. We look forward to her vision and leadership skills as we continue to improve our academic support for student-athletes."

Hayes comes to UT from the University of Kentucky where she was an academic services assistant in the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services. She was responsible for monitoring the academic progress of the football student-athletes through daily interactions with the students, communication with their faculty and collaborations with athletic-academic counselors. She also coordinated one-on-one tutoring sessions for the football players and proctored study halls for all student-athletes.

In 2014, Hayes created the Mentoring Program at Kentucky. She mentored students' academic progress, while collaborating with their counselors, teachers and behavior specialists in order to create programming geared towards college readiness and healthy habits.

Hayes, a native of Lexington, KY, graduated from Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2013 and a master's degree in public administration in 2016. While at Kentucky, Hayes was also a member of the Wildcats' track & field team.

"It is both an honor and a privilege to become a Rocket," said Hayes. "I am grateful for the opportunity to join a dedicated team that works in the best interest of our student athletes. I look forward to hitting the ground running and working to take our student athletes to higher heights academically."