The University of Tulsa is committed to ensuring its students succeed, and there is no one more committed to that mission than Schnea Bates Nealy (BA ’97, MA ’00), Ms. Homecoming 2023. First joining the TU family as an undergraduate, Nealy went on to pursue graduate work at the university before returning to work as an academic coordinator. Now associate athletics director for student success, she works directly with student-athletes to ensure they flourish inside and outside the classroom. Originally intending to become a television news anchor, Nealy heard about a job opening at TU and realized what she really wanted to do with her life and career. “People ask me, ‘What is your calling?’ And I think for me it boils down to making a difference in the lives of others,” she said. “Just the other day, I had a student text me and say, 'Ms. Schnea, I don’t know if you remember me, but thank you for making an impact on my life.’ I hadn’t spoken to him in probably 10 years, and it made me want to cry. I thrive on that. Not every student will be that way, but the ones who are keep you going, to know you are making a difference.” The difference Nealy has made comes through in the positive and productive environment of the Office of Academic and Student Services (OASiS). The OASiS team works with over 400 student-athletes, and 80% of them earn a 3.00 or higher grade-point average. In addition to being a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Nealy is a member of the Golden Hurricane Champions Fund and has served on the committees for New Student Orientation, TU Homecoming, and TU Uncorked, which raises scholarship funds for TU students. Off campus, Nealy has served on the board of directors for Youth at Heart Inc. and Teens Excelling Beyond. Nealy brings a passion for academic excellence and student-athlete development to the TU community, and her representation of the Golden Hurricane is bright and evident to all those around her. “It’s funny. My family lives in St. Louis, so I FaceTime them a lot. For some reason, every time I talk to my brother, I have a TU shirt on,” she said, laughing. “He said to me once, ‘Are the only clothes you have? TU shirts?’ I guess I wear my TU shirts a lot.” Looking to the future Nealy would like to leave a legacy of academic excellence. “I am honored and amazed to be following the others who have received this award,” she said.