NAIA R.I.S.E. Objectives
Respect, Inclusivity, Support, Education
NAIA RISE Inclusion Statement
As one of the strategic pillars of the NAIA, the NAIA RISE Committee will oversee the NAIA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts. We believe and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion among our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. We strive to create and maintain an inclusive culture that fosters participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches and administrators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. We believe that Diversity and Inclusion improve the learning environment for all student-athletes and yield excellence within the Association.
LEGISLATION PASSED
- By 2023 each campus must have a Senior Woman Leader role who is a high-ranking female administrator and is a key member in senior-level management decisions of intercollegiate athletics.
- Every governing body of the NAIA must have diverse representation.
I. Governance and Leadership Academy:
- The NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy provides training on NAIA governance issues and strategic initiatives, introduces attendees to NAIA committee work, and prepares young minority or female administrators for committee service.
- Identify graduating student-athletes and young NAIA professionals across our membership to participate in a Governance Academy that will expose them to the NAIA legislative process.
II. DEI Resources:
- Develop and deploy DEI resources in the areas of diversity, race relations, equity, social justice and athletic careers offered to membership (i.e. National Convention/NACDA and through online platforms).
- Fall 2021 - Conducted DEI assessment to help identify membership needs, to support DEI programs and partnerships, and to help expand all DEI initiatives
- Areas to focus on from our assessment are:
- How to create a DEI Plan
- Best Practices for DEI
- How do I get started?
- Areas to focus on from our assessment are:
- Include content at each NAIA convention to create continual awareness of DEI and specific NAIA initiatives.
- Expand promotion of careers in athletics and within the NAIA through various programs, initiatives, and resources.
- Work with partners to create DEI content resources for NAIA membership.
III. DEI Convention Track:
- LINKED - LEARN, IGNITE, NETWORK to KNOW and EDUCATE on DIVERSITY
- Bluefield Story - Sport as a vehicle for change
- Joint session with CCA and ADA - NAIA RISE and MOAA - How to get started
- MOAA and NAIA RISE Round Table discussions
IV. Senior Woman Leader
- Monthly Lunch and Learns - Click for details
- SWL Facebook Community - Join
- Partnership with Women Leaders in College Sports
