The Alabama A&M Athletics Department is committed to the overall success of its student-athletes, both on and off the field of play, and no where is that more evident than the new freshman orientation program initiated this fall by the Academic Enhancement Center staff. The staff and upperclass student-athlete mentors used the program to present 86 Bulldog freshmen on varying topics from registering for classes, to time management, to diet and nutrition at a breakfast welcome at the beginning of the semester. The program also focuses on any number of issues faced by transitioning students to college life and athletics.

One of the most important details of the mentoring is what it means to be a Bulldog, and an introduction to the services provided by the Academic Enhancement Center, which include tutoring, class registration, add-drop, study hall, computer laptop program, class excuses, GradesFirst Student-Athlete Retention System, NCAA compliance, and progress toward degree.