The VOLScholar program seeks to signal a commitment of intellectual vigor and academic excellence. In addition, the program will help awaken students' natural curiosity and build upon their desire to earn educations, not merely degrees. Students will assume personal accountability for their actions and taken ownership of their academic progress. The VOLScholar program will foster students' internal motivations, to the end that they become self-directed, lifelong learners.

The Thornton Center will strive to fulfill the mission of this program with four components: curriculum, research, incentives and peer mentoring.

Curriculum - To develop academic and character enrichment programs.

• Learning Community and Foundations study halls, designed to help freshmen succeed in their transition to college-level academic work and campus life. These student-driven meetings introduce students to the importance of embracing new intellectual challenges and demonstrating sound citizenship, with the goal of fostering intellectual curiosity and personal integrity.
• Interaction with other campus entities and personalities through workshops and guest speakers, as well as engagement with issues and ideas outside the routine academic/athletic endeavors. This interaction will help create interest, curiosity, and a commitment to responsibility on the part of our students.

Research - To process and analyze data that is related to the curriculum, incentives program, and peer mentoring program in aims of determining the overall success of the VOLScholar program.

• Measure behavior
• Changing Culture

Incentives - To challenge the students' in the areas of academics, leadership, and accountability.

• Greater recognition for students achieving academic success.
• Motivate a segment of students that have not previously reached their potential academically.
• Providing incentives through awards and additional gear that will promote greater awareness through brand identity.
• Monitor individual and team competition to determine eligible VOLScholars.

Peer Mentoring - To provide leadership development opportunities and students' skills when dealing with difficult issues on their respective teams, on campus and in the community.

• Build and strengthen relationships within each team.
• Encourage and promote diversity.
• Prepare students' for "real world" situations.
• Reinforce team and athletic department values.