DEI Professional Development in Athletics

Diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development work shall be conducted in Athletics, with the support of the dean of the College.

Athletics is working to update their mission statement, add DEI information to student and staff manuals, and update the DEI Athletics webpage to be more user-friendly. Focused programming efforts in the past year include multiple rounds of engagement through A Long Talk—over 60 participants, leading to the IDEA Office taking the program institution-wide—and the first annual Pride Game Day. The DEI Athletics committee has created and staffed several subcommittees to address:

1. recruitment of prospective students
2. financial aid—initial and continuing
3. inclusion within the department and our community—e.g. LGBTQ club, Athletes of Color Coalition (AOCC)
4. continuing education
5. promotion/media
6. policies—departmental & teams

Initial conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion began with several varsity athletic teams throughout the late summer and fall, 2020. A DEI consultant has begun (as of spring 2021) a substantial program of assessment, education program, and professional development process, which will continue throughout 2021-2022.