Athletics DEIB

Student-athletes are students first. The foremost goal of institutions of higher education is to provide the best possible learning environment for students. Likewise, the purpose of the Wingate University Athletics is to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the student- athletes’ educational experience is paramount. The connection between diversity and inclusion and enhanced learning is clear. Research studies have shown that when college students socialize with college students of a different racial group, the interactions positively contribute to students’ academic development, satisfaction with college, level of cultural awareness and commitment to promoting racial understanding. Students educated in diverse settings are more motivated and better able to deal with conflicts, as well as appreciate both similarities and differences among their peers.

Although conversations about diversity typically revolve around race and gender, it is important to recognize that diversity is much broader. It acknowledges and values the differences of each individual and takes into account individuals’ personalities. The traditional definition of diversity focuses on groups of people who have historically been denied access to opportunity on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender. Diversity also encompasses external dimensions like religion, marital status, education, income, geographic location and work experience. Within Wingate University, diversity can be found from department to department, team to team, and among each student- athlete, coach, administrator and official. One of the University’s goals is to create a culture in which each person is seen as unique and every individual feels like he or she is a viable and valued part of the university, athletics department and intercollegiate athletics.

To be truly effective, groups need to be more than diverse – they need to be inclusive. Inclusion is the process of creating an environment that not only recognizes and appreciates the talents, skills and perspectives of every individual, but uses those skills to reach educational and organizational objectives. Inclusion is especially important for athletic departments like Wingate University's because student athletes are unified by similar values and a strong need to accomplish something they cannot do alone. A University committed to being inclusive of every student- athlete, coach, administrator and official will lead to a better, stronger Athletic Department.