FRISCO – The Southland Conference and Forward Progress Athletics Consulting have entered into a multi-year partnership aimed at enhancing academic performance across all 12 member institutions. Under the agreement, Forward Progress will provide comprehensive academic consulting services, with a strategic focus on positioning the conference to maximize benefits from the NCAA’s upcoming Academic-Based Revenue Distribution model. 

Forward Progress will collaborate with each Southland institution to strengthen key academic metrics—including Academic Progress Rate (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR)—to ensure consistent alignment with NCAA benchmarks for academic revenue eligibility. The Southland becomes the fifth NCAA Division I conference to partner with Forward Progress. 

“This partnership supports the goal of ensuring Southland student-athletes stay on the path to graduation, while also maximizing the NCAA’s initiatives that reward academic success through financial distributions,” said Southland Deputy Commissioner Thomas Samuel. “By teaming up with Forward Progress, we’re equipping our institutions with the tools, strategies, and data-driven insights needed to elevate academic outcomes. We’re excited to see this collaboration develop and strengthen the academic foundation across our conference.” 

Founded in 2013, Forward Progress is a national leader in NCAA academic consulting. The organization has worked with dozens of institutions and conferences across all divisions, offering expert support in academic services assessment, compliance operations, strategic planning, and navigating complex NCAA academic processes. 

“We are very excited to work with the Southland Conference and its 12 member institutions,” said Forward Progress President John Shukie. “Our staff looks forward to visiting each campus and becoming trusted partners in improving academic outcomes." 

For more information about Forward Progress Athletics Consulting, visit www.forwardprogressac.com.