The NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact recently held its first meeting in Indianapolis to discuss its mission, operating policies and key initiatives.
The new 25-member committee, which includes a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member from each division, convened for two days. The committee received NCAA governance updates, structured its policies and subcommittees, and discussed plans for future meetings. The Association-wide committee represents a wide range of membership expertise that will lead discussions around fostering belonging, leadership, and other campus and community experiences to positively impact student-athletes and staff at member schools and conferences.
The CAOI also approved its mission at the meeting, which is as follows:
"The NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact supports the Association's commitment to uphold the guiding principles of the NCAA constitution, bylaws and policies that foster opportunities and well-being across all member institutions and conferences. Through its expertise and leadership, the committee strives to advance cultures of belonging, care and respect for student-athletes and for those who advise, coach and lead them."
The CAOI was created after the 2022 review by the NCAA Board of Governors of all Association-wide committees and a 2024 recommendation from a working group that represented former NCAA committees. The divisional governing bodies approved legislation in January 2025 to transition several committees to the CAOI. Those were the Committee on Women's Athletics, the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, the Gender Equity Task Force and the Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity.
Jacqie McWilliams, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, chairs the CAOI.
"This committee is both important and necessary, bringing together the work of four former committees into one," McWilliams said. "We accomplished much in two days, building on decades of collective effort that has created pathways for all of us. This group brings expertise that carries real influence across our industry and meaningful impact in the lives of student-athletes. We also bring our own lived experiences, which show up with passion, energy and voice in everything we do."
Subcommittees will begin meeting to further the committee's work. The next CAOI meeting will be in February.
