K-State Athletics Continues to Grow Diversity and Inclusion Programming

MANHATTAN, Kansas – With Diversity and Inclusion as a pillar of its Strategic Plan, K-State Athletics continues to identify new activation steps as a way to grow its programming and awareness for all student-athletes, coaches and staff.

The department is in its fifth year of its Diversity and Inclusion plan, which was created to foster an environment that embraces and celebrates diversity, while intentionally promoting and practicing inclusion.
The 2021-22 academic year affords the department another opportunity to build upon its department plan, and it has identified the following items as focal points for the upcoming year:

Continue to build the Diversity and Inclusion Fund which allows K-Staters to directly support department-wide initiatives.
Mandatory Diversity and Inclusion training for student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Continue to be diligent in efforts to recruit a broad set of applicants for department staff and coaching positions.
Create more opportunities for all sports to foster relationships and communication between all student-athletes and coaches.
Planned Diversity and Inclusion events and recognitions at one home game per sport.
- Sept. 25 – Volleyball vs. Baylor (Anti-Bullying)
- Oct. 7 – Soccer vs. West Virginia (Pride Match)
- Oct. 16 – Football vs. Iowa State (Celebrate K-State Trailblazers)
- Feb. TBD – Men's Basketball (Black History Month)
- Feb. TBD – Women's Basketball (Women's History)
- April TBD – Baseball (Celebrate Diversity with Local Community)
- TBD – Track (Mental Health Awareness)
- TBD – Tennis (International Awareness)

"Thanks to our dedicated coaches, staff and student-athletes, we have made great progress," said Julian Jones, Assistant A.D. for Student-Athlete Development/Chief Diversity Officer. "They have all stepped up and utilized their platforms for the betterment of K-State, and I am proud of them for that. We look forward to continuing to provide educational opportunities and platforms as we strive for the best environment possible for our student-athletes."

Over the past year, the department completed numerous initiatives that have contributed to its Diversity and
Inclusion.

Lunch and Learn opportunities for staff to hear from speakers about diverse and inclusive topics.
Had voter registration sessions and education for all student-athletes and provided transportation to voting polls on election day.
Continue to support and educate student-athletes through support groups: PAALS (Positioning African American and Black Student-Athletes for Lifelong Success), Global Cats, Women Leaders, Athlete Ally, Student-Athlete Social Justice and Action Committee
Bi-annual book clubs offered to all staff to promote education and dialogue.
Created a department-wide Diversity and Inclusion Staff Action Committee.
Held an educational panel with Ahearn Fund donors.

More information on the department's Diversity and Inclusion plan can be found in the links shown.

Kansas State University Athletics

K-State Athletics Continues to Grow Diversity and Inclusion Programming

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