NJCAA Equity Diversity Inclusion Implementation Plan
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced the 2021-22 NJCAA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Implementation Plan. With the guidance of the NJCAA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Council and the NJCAA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Regional Ambassadors, the association has developed this plan to establish and maintain an inclusive culture that fosters equitable participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches, administrators, and athletic personnel.
"The NJCAA EDI Council prioritizes promoting and creating actionable pathways across the organization for equity, diversity and inclusion," stated Kerri-Ann McTiernan, NJCAA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Chair and NJCAA Board of Regents Secretary. "Our people create our value, and we are committed to develop environments in which every person feels valued and able to thrive. The NJCAA EDI implementation plan is an important tool our members can use to foster a more collaborative, inclusive environment that aligns with NJCAA's vision."
The implementation plan is interactive and customizable. As a rich resource, member colleges can track progress by region, construct programs and events for student-athletes and staff, produce diversity seminars, and sustain policies, procedures, and data to reference throughout the year. With objectives, goals, and dates, each implementation plan will track efforts for athletic departments to continue using while increasing opportunity around campus.
"We are excited to announce the NJCAA EDI implementation plan to our member colleges," said Kevin Thomas, NJCAA Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. "We hope this plan can provides our members with a road map to creating an environment of inclusion and acceptance for all student-athletes. EDI is more than policies, programs, or headcounts. At its core, it builds inclusive cultures that recognizes talent while encouraging, supporting, and celebrating diversity. It is the backbone of what this implementation plan is built on, and we hope it can provide guidance and assistance to our members as they look to build their own inclusive cultures at their institutions."
At the NJCAA, equity, diversity, and inclusion are large parts of the association's history and makeup. With the support of regional ambassadors, the NJCAA EDI Council, the NJCAA Racial Equality Subcommittee, and official partners, the NJCAA continues to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates diverse voices of student athletes and their institutions.
The 2021-22 NJCAA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Implementation Plan can be found HERE.
About NJCAA Equity, Diversity and Equity (EDI) Council
The NJCAA believes in and is committed to the core values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in intercollegiate athletics and through its structure, programs, legislation and policies will promote these values among member institutions.
To value diversity is to respect and appreciate its many dimensions including race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, social economic class, religion, and the perspective of each individual shaped by experiences, culture and nation. Equity ensures all members have access to the same opportunities to grow, contribute, and develop. To be inclusive is to welcome, value, and bring together the unique backgrounds of individuals to collectively and more effectively provide opportunities to grow for our campus communities and enhance excellence within the Association.
