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Division III Diversity and Inclusion

As a core value, the NCAA believes in and is committed to diversity, inclusion and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches and administrators. We seek to establish and maintain an inclusive culture that fosters equitable participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches and administrators from diverse backgrounds. Diversity and inclusion improve the learning environment for all student-athletes and enhance excellence.??

In January 2016, the NCAA Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution to further the Association’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The resolution calls upon university chancellors and presidents to promote cultural diversity and provide the necessary resources to address it on their campuses.? The board also announced the creation of a new ad hoc diversity and equity committee to monitor and report on the Association’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.? The ad hoc committee encourages all presidents and chancellors at NCAA member colleges and universities to sign the NCAA Presidential Pledge that commits their schools to achieving ethnic and racial diversity and gender equity in college sports hiring practices.? The pledge was developed out of a membership concern for the low representation of racial and ethnic minorities and women in coaching and athletics administration at all levels.

Division III, in partnership with the NCAA’s Office of Inclusion, provides educational resources, initiatives and programming, which enhances the foundations of a diverse and inclusive culture.? Inclusion continues to be an important aspect of intercollegiate athletics, and the Division III governance structure collaborates with its 450 member institutions and 42 conference offices to support their diversity and inclusion goals.

Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group

At the 2015 NCAA Convention, the Division III delegates endorsed the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.? The working group’s charge is to assess the current diversity and inclusion landscape within Division III, evaluate current initiatives, and propose next steps (e.g., resources, new initiatives, policies, etc.) to the membership.

Proceedings:

Diversity Spotlight Recipient

The Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative was started in August of 2014 as a collaborative project between the NCAA Office of Inclusion and the Diversity & Well-Being Committee of the Division III Commissioners Association.

The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity development projects, programming and initiatives occurring on Division III campuses and in conference offices. Each month an institution or conference is identified by the selection committee to be featured on the DIII webpage and in the DIII Monthly Update. In addition, the featured institution or conference office receives $500 toward its next diversity initiative.

The criterion on which the submissions are evaluated are:

  • Impact of project on diversity & (not or) well-being of student-athletes;
  • Degree of impact (measured by numbers of people influenced/affected by the project);
  • Scope of the project (planning, engagement, depth, outcomes).
Diversity Spotlight Initiative - January 2020

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference is the recipient of the December/January Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative. The conference hosted a workshop for Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives and advisors. The workshop focused on social justice and the intersection of race, inclusion, and diversity within athletics. For more information see the recap and video.

The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity related projects, programming and initiatives that are occurring on Division III campuses and in conference offices. All selected recipients receive $500 toward their next diversity initiative.

To submit a story for consideration, please email lmccleary@ncaa.org.

Diversity & Inclusion Resources
LGBTQ Resources
SWA Resources
Diversity & Inclusion Professional Development
Diversity & Inclusion Best Practices
Past Diversity Spotlight Winners

January 2020 The Old Dominion Athletic Conference Social justice and the intersection of? race
November 2019 Fontbonne University Diversity and Inclusion Committee
September 2019 Notre Dame of Maryland University OneTeam Week dedicated to the Division III LGBTQ OneTeam Program
August 2019 Pacific Lutheran University Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)
July 2019 Vassar College LGBT SportSafe Inclusion Program
June 2019 The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED)
May 2019 Smith College EmPOWER: Understanding Our Identities Conference
April 2019 University of New England On-campus education session
March 2019 Middle Atlantic Conference Ethnic Minority Careers in Athletics
February 2019 Transylvania University National Girls and Women in Sports Day
December 2018/January 2019 Centre College Student-athlete diversity board
November 2018 New England Small College Athletic Conference Inaugural Future Leaders Forum
October 2018 University of Wisconsin Superior Student-Athlete Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

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