MCLA Athletics is committed to a providing a safe and inclusive environment, respecting differences and encouraging social change. Our department strives to provide opportunities to student-athletes of all race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, political belief or affiliation, and veteran status. MCLA Athletics has been working on the following initiatives:
~ The addition of an Athletics Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator, who also serves as the NCAA Diversity and Inclusion designee
~ Creation of the Trailblazer Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group
~ Educational programming for student-athletes and staff
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Educational Programs
| Mic Drop | Day of Dialogue | MLK Day of Service |
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| Safe Zone | Real Talk Mondays | MVP Training |
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| Workshops | VOTE | Election Initiatives |
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| MCLA Student Handbook | MCLA Affirmative Action Statement | NCAA United As One |
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Staff Development
We will educate ourselves through articles, webinars, and other media and have meaningful conversations in which we challenge ourselves to learn and grow. We will hold ourselves accountable and use our platform as educators to be advocates and effect change. The department will cover a topic monthly which will include workshops. Some of the topics the department will cover include:
Race/Ethnicity
Class/Socioeconomic Status
Implicit Bias
Microaggressions
Privilege
Gender & Gender Identity
Disability
LGBTQIA+.
| RBL Theory | NCAA Summer Series | |
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| A social justice platform that focuses on building community through conversations based around the intersection of sports, culture, and identity. Identity intersects every part of life and it is important for people to show up authentically in every space they take up. | This online program in the series centers racial justice in intercollegiate athletics from the student-athlete perspective. Five student-athletes share their experiences with racial inequities and how they are using their voices and platforms to advocate for racial justice. | This presentation is focused on how to support students of color and how to effectively have challenging conversations. Additionally, this presentation focused on how to identify implicit bias and how to be more aware of your explicit biases. This presentation also, outlined facilitation techniques that will aid administration in becoming more engaged and present listeners. |
| Staff Reading Series | "White Privilege": Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack | |
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| The MCLA Staff is engaged in many readings including this title above |
Resources
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Trailblazer DEI Working Group
The Trailblazer DEI Working Group will help to shape initiatives that address social injustices, identify current issues and set goals in providing a welcoming and supportive environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion for both MCLA student-athletes and athletics department coaches and staff.
| Members | Title |
| Amanda Beckwith: Co-Chair | DEI Coordinator/Head Volleyball Coach |
| Arlene Theodore: Co-Chair | Associate Director of Diversity Programs and MERC |
| Laura Mooney | Director of Athletics |
| Dr. Ann Billetz | Faculty Athletics Representative (Biology) |
| Adam Hildabrand | Men's Soccer Coach |
| Adriane Baird | Softball Coach |
| Christopher MacDonald-Dennis | Chief Diversity Officer |
| Oscar Castro | Admissions Office Staff |
| Travis Rice | Alumni- Men's Basketball |
| Natalie Caney | Alumni- Women's Lacrosse/Soccer |
| Bryan Rosario | Baseball Student-Athlete |
| Anissa Baptiste | Women's Soccer Student-Athlete |
| Gavin Butler | Men's Lacrosse Student-Athlete |
| Reagan Scattergood | Volleyball Student-Athlete |
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Amanda Beckwith Amsler CC 105 |
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