Athletics Department DEIA Task Force

In support and with collaborative work within the Whitman College Community, the Department of Athletics is taking a number of steps to ensure our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. 

DEIA Task Force GOAL: To discuss the area of needs for our athletic community and to envision what our DEIA initiatives, strategies and best practices for student-athletes, teams, coaches, and staff should look like and consist of for the 2022-2023 academic year.

• Funding was secured through the Provost Office and the Task Force began working with consultant, Sheridan Blanford, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InCompass Excellence.
• Establishment of Focus Groups and Climate Survey - In order to evaluate and strengthen the department’s DEIA the task force committed to two initiatives to establish quantitative and qualitative data. (Summer 2022)
• Focus Groups – Five focus groups were identified by the task force.  60-minute meetings were held with each of the focus groups to gain qualitative feedback from specific identities and demographics to learn more about their experiences with the athletic department.
• Climate Survey – Faculty, Staff, and Student-Athletes in the Whitman Athletic community took part in a survey to capture quantitative information about current culture and climate from various vantage points.

Emma Anderson – Volleyball Student-Athlete Alum
Emily Badgley – Women’s Soccer Student Athlete
Sarah Bell – Athletics – Program Assistant
Arianna Castellanos Calderon – Women’s Tennis Student-Athlete
Kim Chandler – Director of Athletics
Georgia Cloepfil - Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
Anna Doyel – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Eric Gantt - Men's Soccer Student-Athlete & SAAC rep.
John Hein - Head Women's Tennis Coach
Julia Hess - XC and Distance Track Alum
Benji Seashore Hobson – Baseball Student-Athlete
Bernie Jones – Men’s Soccer Student-Athlete
Ally Kim – Women’s XC and Distance Track Student-Athlete
Grace Kim – Women’s Golf Student-Athlete
James Klinman – Men’s XC & Distance Track Alum
Katya Kurkoski - Women's Golf Student-Athlete & SAAC rep.
Al Reiser – Associate Athletic Director - Compliance
Scott Shields - Head Coach - XC & Distance Track, Asst. AD Student-Athlete Academic Support & Development
Luca Viarengo – Men’s Tennis Student-Athlete 
Michelle Voiland – Head Women's Soccer Coach

The Climate Survey Reflection along with the Task Force Review established 4 Prioritized Areas that were identified as Areas of Continued Growth and Impact.

1. Structure
2. Partnerships & Collaboration
3. Recruitment & Retention
4. Whitman Pride & Support

The Task Force met in September to discuss the following questions related to each of the four prioritized areas.

What are we trying to accomplish with each priority?

Why is it important?

What is the overall vision/mission?

October/November

Establishing short term and long-term goals for each priority.

STRUCTURE:

Short Term Goal #1 – DEI Training Model – Cultural Competencies – Spring 2023

Short Term Goal #2 – Collaborative work with Dr. John Johnson

Long Term Goal – Creation of a committee for DEI in Athletics similar to SAAC

PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION:

Short Term Goal #1- The committee will meet with members of the Walla Walla school district to help determine areas of impact for Whitman Student-Athletes in Walla Walla elementary and middle schools.

Short Term Goal #2 - The committee will meet with members of the Whitman Student-Athletes to capture interest in volunteer opportunities in the Walla Walla elementary and middle schools.

Long Term Goal - The Whitman Athletic Department will host volunteer activities at local schools to connect Whitman Student-Athletes with local school children.

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION:

Short Term Goal #1 - Collect baseline demographic data for student athletes and athletic department staff - Race, nationality, need-based aid, gender identification, sexual orientation

Short Term Goal #2 - Reach out to HR to collect info about hiring process 

- What is a DA and when/how often is the training offered?

- What is the college doing now to diversify its applicant pools? (Whitman is at 2% faculty POC) What could

   athletics borrow from its efforts? 

•  Compile a list of organizations and clubs (in the NW) across all sports that give opportunities to under-served populations. 

Long Term Goal - Diversify applicant pools for both student-athletes and employees. 

WHITMAN PRIDE & SUPPORT:

Short Term Goal #1 – Improving accessibility to Whit City to increase diversity and inclusion

Short Term Goal #2- Funding and partnering with a mental health application specific to athletics.

Long Term Goal – Creating a relationship with a sports psychologist who can either be a permanent or season fixture for student-athletes.