Inclusive Excellence

CURRENT ORGANIZATIONS/COMMITTEES

KU Leads

KU Leads supports and educates student-athletes with the skills necessary to succeed throughout their intercollegiate athletic, personal and professional life. We are currently training student-athletes to be more inclusive in their thoughts and actions and to lead with action and thoughtfulness.

Kansas Athletics Diversity Leadership Council

Established in June of 2020, the Kansas Athletics Diversity Leadership Council is charged with creating and sustaining actionable items to promote an atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion by providing educational materials and opportunities for the advancement of minorities and members of underrepresented groups. The council includes current coaches, senior level administrators, staff and former student-athletes.

The council and its subcommittees meet regularly to discuss various issues and offer resources for the athletics department staff, coaches and student-athletes to support our desire to build and maintain an inclusive and diverse environment.

Committee Members
Travis Goff
Paul Pierce II (Chair)
Nic Anguiano
Kristie Baumchen
Dan Beckler
Lisa Braddy (Former WBB Student-Athlete)
Damitria Buchanan
Christa Jacelone
Laura Jackson
David Johnston (Former T&F/XC Student-Athlete)
Denesha McCuin
Andrea Norris
Fred Quartlebaum
Rose Richmond
Wayne Simien (Former MBB Student-Athlete)
Darrell Stuckey (Former FB Student-Athlete)
Tayler Tolefree (Former VB Student-Athlete)
Kansas Athletics Staff Women’s Mentorship Program

The Kansas Athletics Women’s Mentorship Program was launched in March, 2019 with the goal of strengthening the culture for women at Kansas Athletics and wherever their career paths lead in the future. The WMP provides female staff an interactive space to learn, to advise, engage and support each other. We foster diverse, positive relationships between women of all experiences and backgrounds through intentional one-on-one matches, larger group meetings and panels, and guest speakers. Monthly topics are shared via online platform, with monthly content for individual and group efforts.

Coaches and Staff of Color Group

Launched in September 2020, this group is open to all Kansas Athletics staff who identify as an ethnic minority, with a focus on programming that promotes a sense of community and retention within the Lawrence community.

KU R.I.S.E.

KU R.I.S.E. (Redefine. Inspire. Support. Empower.) is a student-athlete organization that strives to bring together student-athletes of different cultures, ethnicities, lifestyles, and belief systems to enhance their experience on the University of Kansas (KU) campus. It is a program that dedicates itself towards providing a safe space and community for any student-athletes who identifies as a minority. The programming consist of discussions and activities that are real and relevant topics in an environment that fosters support and empowerment. R.I.S.E. is devoted to providing the student-athlete population with opportunities to strengthen their understanding of one another and their fellow student body.

 

Athlete Ally

KU Leads and Kansas Athletics collaborate with Athlete Ally, an organization dedicated to taking a stand against homophobia and transphobia in sports by bringing a message of respect, inclusion and equality to our athletic community.

Diversity Recruitment Committee

Employee-based committee created to identify and recruit qualified members of underrepresented demographic groups, with the goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Members of the committee assist human resources and hiring managers prior to and during the interview process for vacant KAI positions.

Committee Members
Paul Pierce II
Christa Jacelone
Ryan King
Jamie Hays Szelc
Charlie Sullivan
David Reed
Tory Teykl

CAMPUS/BIG 12 COMMITTEES

Big 12 Black Assistant Coaches Alliance (BACA)

The Big 12 Black Assistant Coaches Alliance was formed in 2020 to combat social injustices. The intent of this group is to work in concert with each member institution’s student-athlete development unit. The alliance will focus its efforts to assist in educating, unifying, serving and supporting all Big 12 student-athletes and coaches.

The core values of the alliance are:

  • To educate through organizing fact-based literature, speakers and event that would encourage awareness and knowledge
  • To unify by including all student-athletes and coaches with the Big 12 Conference to participate in organized events
  • To serve by being physically present and active in providing information and participating in all events and activities
  • To support intercollegiate collaborative initiatives that holistically advance our mission
Committee Members
Damitria Buchanan
Terry Nooner
Jhasmin Player
Fred Quartlebaum
Norm Roberts
Kurtis Townsend
Task Force on Community-Responsive Public Safety

This new task force is charged with reviewing KU Public Safety policies, practices and procedures; examining national best practices and proposals for change; and making recommendations to the Office of the Chancellor regarding potential improvements to ensure respectful, transparent and community-responsive public safety services.

The task force is comprised of approximately 25 students, faculty and staff from across the university and is chaired by Distinguished Professor Charles Epp.

Provost’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council

Members serve 2- or 3-year terms or appointments and be tasked with multiple objectives, including evaluating existing policies, programs and structures at KU to ensure they foster and support diversity, equity and inclusion.

This team will also recommend changes as needed in order to create and sustain a healthier community. It will work to ensure that each academic and administrative unit has a DEI plan that aligns with and supports campus goals and metrics. It will advise Provost Bichelmeyer in developing a DEI plan that is based on best practices and that includes metrics for our Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSITY

Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series

In honor of Black History Month, Kansas Athletics recognizes the notable achievements and accomplishments of African-Americans who have helped shape the Jayhawk program throughout the years by creating the Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series. Each February, this endeavor chronicles several prominent African-Americans and their impact on Kansas Athletics.

Click Here to view the full series

Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

During the month of May, Kansas Athletics celebrated Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Month, paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. Among them are Kansas’ own Danica Pecana, who shared her story.

Click here to read Danica Pecana: The Day My World Changed

Pride Month

 

 

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Kansas Jayhawks

POWER TO THE POLLS
Civic Engagement Day Initiative (Nov. 3, 2020)
On Election Day, we called on student-athletes, staff, and the KU community to come together for civic engagement. Power to the Polls was a hybrid event, designed for our community to exercise our civic duty with empowering voters.

Participants pledged to walk a 10K throughout the day (equivalent to 10,000 steps). Upon finishing their steps, participants submitted photographic results via social media using the hashtag #PowerToThePollsKU and tagged @KU_LEADS, @jayhawkSAAC, and @KUAthletics. On Election Day, we escorted KU students from the Daisy Hill Commons to the Lied Center to vote from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (groups departed every 15 minutes).