HAMILTON, N.Y. (1/11/11) - Mona E. Nyheim-Canales joins Colgate University as the Coordinator of the Athletic Academic Achievement Program. She comes from the University of Michigan where she served as a Learning Coordinator for the Academic Success Program and its football team. Her main responsibility will be to enhance the continued success of Colgate student-athletes.

In addition to the Academic Success Program at Michigan Nyheim-Canales also worked with Club Wolverine, which was the largest team at the Olympic Trials and sent eight swimmers to the Beijing Olympics.

“Being involved with athletics at the highest level as well as doing well academically is important and not mutually exclusive; we had several Academic All-Americans out of that group,” stated Nyheim-Canales.

Nyheim-Canales has over 15 years of experience as a division I coach at the University of Houston, the University of Illinois and the University of North Texas. As a coach Nyheim-Canales has produced numerous NCAA Academic All-Americans and the first Academic All-American Team at UNT. During her time at UNT Nyheim-Canales developed successful programs that are still in place at the school. She strengthened the bonds between the various colleges, the professors and the athletic department by communicating efficiently with the main participants. In addition to her coaching duties, she was in charge of budget preparation, team travel and athletic scholarships.

“While coaching at both Illinois and Houston one of my responsibilities was the academics and guiding the student athletes to success in the classroom,” said Nyheim-Canales. “We had several students who are now doctors, researchers and professionals. The majority of the students went on to graduate school in their chosen field. “

Nyheim-Canales, who is fluent in eight languages, has a Ph.D (ABD) in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Illinois.

“Athletes are involved in sports for many reasons, belonging, challenge and the feeling of fulfillment and success,” said Nyheim-Canales. “As an educator it is essential to know how to bridge the motivation an athlete has for his or her sport and to create a positive relationship with both academics and athletics to enhance the student athlete's experience and give them the best combination for success both in college and after graduation.”

Nyheim-Canales and her husband Fernando Canales, the Mark S. Randall Endowed Coaching Chair for Swimming and Diving at Colgate, have two sons Francisco Enrique and Thor Bjorn Canales