Kaler will provide comprehensive assistance to the athletics department in the area of academic services including study tables, tutoring, and serving as a secondary advisor to all UND student-athletes. She will also serve as a liaison to various campus constituents and will serve as the primary point person for LifeSkills development activities for the student-athletes. Kaler will also assist with progress to degree certification for NCAA eligibility as well as initial eligibility for prospective student-athletes.

"We are excited to have Amanda join our staff in a capacity that will further enhance our academic support services," said Faison. "We strive to put our student-athletes in the best possible position to succeed in the classroom and the addition of Amanda can only strengthen that effort."

Kaler will also have responsibilities related to NCAA and conference reports and will also assist with various internal operations tasks on a daily basis.

"Amanda brings exceptional knowledge and passion to the program," said Amanda Neubauer, UND's director of athletics academic services. "Her previous experience within the department, combined with her background as an instructor and a student-athlete, make her a tremendous fit. She will also play a vital role in our CHAMPS/Life Skills program, which we continue to enhance for our student-athletes."

Kaler spent the past two years as a full-time intern for UND athletics assisting with the day-to-day internal operations, including academics and NCAA compliance. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from UND and will graduate with a master's degree in public administration from UND in August.

A native of Fargo, N.D., Kaler was a standout golfer at UND from 2005-09 and was a two-time All-North Central Conference selection. As a senior in 2008-09, Kaler became the first Sioux golfer to receive ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors, earning second team accolades.

UND's student-athletes enjoyed another outstanding year in the classroom in 2009-10, with a school-record 111 -- one-fourth of the student-body population -- earning academic all-conference honors. Additionally, four student-athletes earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors and two earned prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.

- Go Sioux -