The Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, in collaboration with Return On Inclusion, a sport-specific diversity and inclusion consultancy and credentialing program, have developed the Division III Inclusive Leaders Program. Division III conferences and institutions can request a two-hour workshop with a trained facilitator. For information about hosting an Inclusive Leaders Program on your campus, please read the information below. Contact Eric Hartung (ehartung@ncaa.org) for additional information about the program.

The Division III Inclusive Leaders Program has the following objectives for program participants:

1. To identify strategies and best practices for institutions, and specifically head coaches and athletics department staff and administrators, to enhance their recruitment and retention of students of color.
2. To recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in college athletics, learn common terms, definitions, and concepts and hear the often-unheard voices of student-athletes of color.
3. To understand the involvement of the NCAA and Division III membership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and more specifically, build racial equity knowledge.

Request an Inclusive Leaders Program

To request an Inclusive Leaders Program follow the following steps:

1. Locate a trained facilitator in your area. (see below for a list of trained facilitators.)
2. Contact the facilitator directly.
3. The facilitator will work with you on securing a mutually agreed upon date and time.
4. The facilitator will need to know the total number of training participants at least 21 days in advance of the training in order to secure the proper training materials for the session.
5. Each in-person training session lasts two hours.

Parameters to Host an Inclusive Leaders Program

1. Participants in attendance should be no more than 50, with a preferred size of 35.
2. Programs are designed for athletics administrators, staff, and coaches. 
3. The set-up should be a room or classroom (not an auditorium), preferably with round tables.  Five chairs to every table.
4. Audiovisual capabilities (e.g., projector screen and laptop) necessary as there is a program PowerPoint.

Cost to Host an Inclusive Leaders Program

There is no facilitation fee for the training. Division III has trained the facilitators, and they are providing their time and expertise as a service to the Division III membership. If your facilitator is coming from a distance greater than 25 miles, we request you provide travel expenses.  You may ask your commissioner to offset the expenses from the Division III Conference Grant program. Contact your conference office to determine if they have funds available for your use.

Facilitators only: click here to confirm an Inclusive Leaders Program.

Inclusive Leaders Program Facilitators

The following individuals have been trained to facilitate the Division III Inclusive Leaders Program for your campus or conference. Reach out to a facilitator in your area and request a training for your athletics administrators, staff, and coaches. Each in-person training session lasts two hours. The facilitator will work with you on securing a mutually agreed upon date and time for the training session. The facilitator will need to know the total number of training participants at least 21 days in advance of the training in order to secure the proper training materials needed for the session.