Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
7/29/2020
Last updated on February 15, 2022
OUR COMMITMENT: EDUCATE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.
Carolina Athletics believes in promoting diversity, inclusion and respect for others. We must create a welcoming environment to everyone and work to ensure that these values never waver or change. We must be more intentional – as a department, and with each other.
In June, 2020, in response to events across our country that shined a new and important light on racial divides across our nation, Carolina’s Department of Athletics adopted the ‘3 Es and 5 Vs’ – our guidelines for better promoting diversity, inclusion and respect for others.
The document is a living framework meant to guide decisions and Educate, Engage, and Empower our student-athletes, coaches and staff:
- Vow – Pledge to do what we say we are going to do, and work every day to lead progress. Together.
- Voices – Share your experiences, feelings and thoughts with others.
- Venues – Embrace purposeful platforms.
- Vote! – Engage in civic responsibility at local and national levels.
- Volunteer – Participate in causes to make a difference.
These goals – and the actions taken to reach these goals -- will continue to be refined in coordination with the department’s current strategic plan: Together We Win.
The plan details the department’s goals of Top 3 in the ACC and Top 10 in the nation in the classroom and in competition, of administrative engagement, and our mission to educate and inspire through athletics. In alignment with the University, Together We Win also details the department’s core values of Responsibility, Innovation, Service and Excellence (RISE). ‘Responsibility’—Do What is Right—emphasizes our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and in striving to do the right thing every day for our student-athletes, staff, and Carolina Community.
UNIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Carolina Athletics believes in and supports the University's commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and excellence. At Carolina, diversity and inclusion are about building understanding across differences, creating conditions to ensure the equitable educational and social benefits of diversity and cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, faculty and staff – where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to add value.
For more information on University initiatives, please visit diversity.unc.edu.
Carolina Athletics Celebrates Black History Month 2022
Carolina is taking actions that speak for our intentions. We will work together to create and sustain the kind of community where all feel welcomed, respected and free to pursue their goals and dreams. We are committed to coordinated processes and programs that celebrate all forms of diversity and build upon Carolina's equitable and inclusive learning environment.Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Chancellor
CAROLINA ATHLETICS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE
“Building Bridges and breaking barriers on matters of diversity and inclusion.”
The Carolina Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Committee promotes diversity by using the acronym MOVE:
Mutual respect for one another
Opportunities to grow and develop
Value differences among students and staff
Educate others on diversity
The committee is responsible for diversity education training, special initiatives such as Black History Month, and choosing the Tar Heel Trailblazers, a biannual tradition that recognizes African-American student-athletes who have been pioneers in sports, their communities and beyond. Since 2014, Tar Heel Trailblazers have honored these influential people who have paved the way for student-athlete success and championed diversity. More information about the Tar Heel Trailblazers.
The committee is made up of the following staff members:
- Martina Ballen, Senior Associate AD/CFO — Chair
- Cricket Lane, Associate AD
- Larry Gallo, Executive Associate AD
- Jenn Townsend, Associate Director, Academic Support Program
- Ken Mack, Associate Executive Director for Lead Gifts, Rams Club
- Tony Tucker, Director of Graphics Design
- Jaci Field, Director of Eddie Smith Field House
- Dana Gelin, Associate Director, Athletic Communications
- Rick Steinbacher, Senior Associate AD
- Corey Holliday, Associate Athletic Director
- Stephen Boyd, Assistant Director of Business Operations
- DaShena Stevens – Administrative Support
- TBA – Student-Athlete Representative
For more information, please contact Martina Ballen at mballen@unc.edu
Additional Department of Athletics committees include:
UNC Pride: Comprised of Department of Athletics coaches, staff and alumni, UNC Pride seeks to celebrate, recognize and bring awareness to our LBGTQIA student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans while promoting the University’s principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Black Student-Athlete Collective: Provides a space to discuss issues affecting our community, to get to know one another, and to be our truest version of ourselves.
Spectrum: A student-athlete organization that fosters community, cultivates educational resources and provides social support for student-athletes of all backgrounds. The group leverages diversity to have unique and inspirational dialogues about athletes, University life and society.
RESOURCES
If you are the victim of negative behavior witness it happen to others, we encourage you to report the incident immediately through our department’s Up and Out system by calling Associate Athletic Director Paul Pogge 919-843-7690. You can find more Department of Athletics resources here.
Other campus resources include:
THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
1.2.2 Principle of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
The Conference and its member institutions are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity among our student-athletes, staff, coaches, administrators, and leaders. The promotion of diversity, inclusion, and equity are integral to the structure, programs, legislation, and policies of the Conference and its member institutions. (Revised: 5/2018)
