In 12th year in charge of academic support and student programs for Marquette's student-athletes … Ford's office offers programs designed to meet the special needs of student-athletes, including an orientation program, mentor program, tutoring, writing labs, study hall, computer lab, coordination of volunteer services, on-going drug and alcohol education program, career planning, job search assistance for seniors and summer employment services … Served as advisor/mentor at UW Parkside before coming to Marquette … Was assistant director for the Educational Opportunity Program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology from 1982-87 … Also worked in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as an education counselor … Graduated from UW-Parkside with a bachelor's degree in English in 1972 … Earned a master's degree in education from Carthage College in 1998 … Also has done graduate work at UW-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside … Is a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics.