Villanova, St. Mary's and Southern Connecticut State Awarded NCAA DEI Award

The athletics departments at Villanova, St. Mary's (Maryland) and Southern Connecticut State have been awarded the 2025 NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Award for Diversity and Inclusion, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment within the athletics community.

The Award for Diversity and Inclusion recognizes and celebrates one school or conference office per division for initiatives, policies and practices that embrace diversity and inclusion across the intercollegiate athletics community. This can be achieved through community service, professional development, hiring practices or programming activities that enhance opportunities for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences. 

"The effective application of inclusion is intentional creation of policies, procedures and practices that acknowledge cultural experiences and invite all voices to the decision-making table. This award recognizes outstanding recipients in Division I, II and III who diligently create environments of belonging that are safe, equitable spaces for all.  This honor celebrates the efforts of member schools and conference offices that embrace diversity and set a standard of inclusive excellence," said Felicia Martin, senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement.

This year's recipients will be honored at the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

Villanova's Unitas program

Since its inception in 2017, Unitas has embodied Villanova's Augustinian values. The program's dedication to promoting a community where differences are celebrated has been instrumental in creating an inclusive environment for student-athletes, coaches and staff. 

Under the leadership of Leashia Lewis, assistant athletics director for diversity, equity and inclusion and director of Unitas, the program has seen significant growth and impact. Villanova's athletics department has established DEI deputies and officers within the department and supports various initiatives, including policy updates, inclusive hiring practices and climate response protocols. Additionally, the development of inclusive guidelines provides practical steps for engagement in DEI efforts, ensuring that every member of the athletics community contributes to a culture of belonging.

Unitas seeks and evaluates live feedback from student-athletes, coaches and staff, as well as employing structured methodologies like the NCAA DEI Review. The program also uses senior exit surveys, universitywide climate studies, microsurveys and the RISE Perception Survey to continuously assess and improve its impact. 

Unitas offers extensive programming and training aimed at increasing cultural and practical competencies, including equity and justice education modules, partnerships with organizations like RISE and various heritage month campaigns. The program also hosts events such as the Black Student-Athlete Summit and collaborates with campus partners to provide comprehensive DEI education and support.

Collaboration is at the heart of Unitas' success. The program works closely with external advisors, the Big East Conference DEI Committee and various university departments to enhance diversity and inclusion. These collaborations have been instrumental in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all student-athletes. Unitashas implemented systems to sustain diversity and inclusion within the athletics department, including updated policies such as the fan code of conduct and the inclusion of pronouns on athletics profiles. The program also supports seven student-led affinity and allyship groups, which play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and belonging.

St. Mary's 

St. Mary's has demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing the visibility and inclusion of underrepresented cultures and groups. Through intentional programming and recruitment practices, the athletics department has engaged not only student-athletes but also staff, coaches, campus partners, the local community and alumni. This holistic approach has created a vibrant and inclusive environment that celebrates diverse identities and promotes understanding, tolerance and respect. 

The establishment of the "St. Mary's Way" by the college president — a pledge taken by all students, faculty and staff — underscores the school's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The athletics department has aligned its pillars of community engagement, education, and diversity, equity and inclusion with this pledge.

 The athletics department employs various evaluations and assessments, including mandatory diversity reviews during hiring processes, debriefings following cultural celebration events, feedback from campus clubs and communities, town halls and campus conversations on DEI topics. These assessments ensure that the department continuously improves and adapts its initiatives to meet the needs of its community.

St. Mary's offers a wide range of programming and training aimed at increasing cultural and practical competencies. Events such as National Coming Out Day, the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration game, Diversity Night and the Black History Month celebration game engage the campus and local community. The department also hosts women's history panels, Special Olympics events and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service activities. Annual celebrations of history and heritage months highlight the department's dedication to inclusivity. Additionally, staff and student-athletes participate in training on microaggressions and attend the NCAA Inclusion Forum to enhance their DEI practices.

St. Mary's athletics department works closely with campus DEI leadership, local minority food vendors and community organizations. Partnerships with the Special Olympics, Southern Maryland Parks and Recreation and campus diversity groups have significantly enhanced the department's efforts to create an inclusive environment. To sustain its efforts, St. Mary's has implemented several policies and systems, including requiring diversity statements from job applicants, reading a land acknowledgment before athletics events and employing targeted recruitment practices. The department also supports a Student and Staff Leadership and Engagement group, which discusses DEI action items and collaborates on cross-campus initiatives.

Southern Connecticut State 

Southern Connecticut State's department of athletics and recreation has demonstrated a proactive approach in implementing innovative initiatives that promote diverse hiring practices and enhance opportunities for student-athletes from various backgrounds. Through comprehensive programming and community engagement efforts, the department has created an inclusive environment that empowers individuals to thrive. 

The department prioritizes diverse candidate pools during recruitment, ensuring that the staff reflects the diversity of the student body and community. Additionally, groups like the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Athletes Fighting Injustice provide platforms for student-athletes to connect, share experiences and plan events. Furthermore, partnerships with local organizations promote outreach and service opportunities, such as a food pantry drive and holiday toy drives.

Southern Connecticut State employs various evaluations and assessments, including comprehensive equity audits, regular anonymous climate surveys and focus groups. Performance metrics track key indicators such as retention rates and participation in diversity training programs, while feedback mechanisms like anonymous suggestion boxes and online platforms allow for ongoing input. Annual reviews assess diversity and inclusion goals, and exit interviews provide feedback from departing student-athletes and staff to identify areas for growth.

Southern Connecticut State offers a wide range of programming and training aimed at increasing cultural and practical competencies, including implicit bias training and diversity and inclusion training. The athletics department implemented Safe Zone training to help staff and student leaders support LGBTQ+ individuals. Southern Connecticut State's community engagement initiatives include conflict resolution and communication skills training. In addition, cultural awareness events celebrate different cultures through food, performances and discussions, and leadership development programs encourage student-athlete leaders to advocate for diversity.

Southern Connecticut State's athletics department engages with diverse alumni in mentorship programs and panels, conducting research on DEI in athletics and collaborating with campus partners through the Owl Wellness Program to address the challenges faced by diverse student-athletes.