Division III Inclusive Leaders Program

The Division III Inclusive Leaders Program is a two-hour, in-person workshop that helps athletics departments strengthen how they support student-athletes and build a more welcoming, informed team environment. Developed in collaboration with Return On Inclusion, the program gives staff and coaches practical approaches for improving their day-to-day interactions, understanding varied student experiences—especially those of student-athletes of color—and fostering positive department culture.

Division III institutions and conferences may request a workshop led by a trained facilitator. Sessions are interactive, scenario-based, and tailored to campus needs, giving participants useful tools they can apply immediately within their roles.

Program Objectives

The Inclusive Leaders Program helps participants:

Explore practical approaches that strengthen support for student-athletes of color
Build shared understanding of varied student experiences and factors that contribute to a positive team environment
Learn how Division III initiatives and campus practices can help create informed, welcoming athletics spaces

Why Participate?

The Inclusive Leaders Program offers athletics departments a practical way to strengthen how they support student-athletes and build a more informed, welcoming team culture. The workshop:

Provides real examples and scenarios relevant to the campus experience.
Helps staff and coaches better understand varied student backgrounds and needs.
Encourages meaningful discussion and shared learning among department members.
Equips participants with approaches they can apply immediately in their roles.
Creates a structured space to reflect on department culture and communication.

Requesting a Workshop

Institutions and conferences begin the process by selecting and contacting a trained facilitator. Once a facilitator is chosen, the administrator and facilitator coordinate workshop goals, scheduling and logistics. Participant numbers should be confirmed at least 21 days before the session so materials can be prepared.

Select a trained facilitator in your conference or region
Contact the facilitator to discuss workshop goals and scheduling options
Finalize date, time, location, and expected participant numbers (confirm at least 21 days prior)
Ensure the room setup and A/V needs meet program requirements
After details are set, the facilitator will submit the NCAA confirmation form

Workshop Logistics

The workshop is designed for athletics administrators, staff and coaches
Ideal group size is 35 participants; the maximum is 50
A classroom-style space with round tables is recommended to support conversation
Basic audiovisual setup is required (projector, screen and laptop)

Cost

There is no facilitation fee. Facilitators volunteer their time as part of Division III’s commitment to supporting member institutions. If the facilitator travels more than 25 miles, hosts are asked to cover reasonable travel expenses. Conferences may use grant funding when available.

Facilitator List

View facilitator list

Tiffany Alford
Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence
University of Massachusetts Boston
Little East
tiffany.alford@umb.edu

Ron Baines
Assistant Director of Career Engagement and Program Development
New Jersey City University
NJAC
rbaines@njcu.edu

Katherine Bean
Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Gallaudet University
United East Conference
katherine.bean@gallaudet.edu

Julia Bernard
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Norwich University
GNAC
jbernar3@norwich.edu

Renee Bostic
Director of Athletics
SUNY New Paltz
SUNYAC
bosticr@newpaltz.edu

Kennadi Bouyer
Assistant Director of Athletics
Pacific Lutheran University
Northwest Conference
kennadi.bouyer@plu.edu

Glen Brittich
Director of Athletics
Elmhurst University
CCIW
glen.brittich@elmhurst.edu

Lauren Bryne-Dunn
Assistant Commissioner
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
MIAA
lauren.bryne@miaa.org

Ryan Callahan
Director of Athletics
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
WIAC
callahanrm19@uww.edu

Rosie Cheng
Assistant Director of Athletics / Athletic Trainer
Carnegie Mellon University
UAA
rmcheng@andrew.cmu.edu

Kirsten Clark
Associate Director of Athletics
Clark University (MA)
NEWMAC
kiclark@clarku.edu

William Cosentino
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Saint Joseph's College (Maine)
GNAC
wcosentino@sjcme.edu

Marie Curran-Headley
Director of Athletics
SUNY Cobleskill
NAC
curranmc@cobleskill.edu

Romario DePalmer
Administrative Assistant
York College (NY)
CUNYAC
romario.depalmer@gmail.com

Chris Dixon
Assistant Director of Athletics / Head Track & Field Coach
Augsburg University
MIAC
dixonc2@augsburg.edu

Jerry Fisk
Director of Athletics
SUNY Fredonia
SUNYAC
gerald.fisk@fredonia.edu

Dia Fortenberry
Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Wesleyan University
NESCAC
diafortenberry@gmail.com

Jerome Foster-Harmon
Diversity Coordinator / Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Lawrence University
Midwest Conference
fosterhj@lawrence.edu

Chris Garcia-Prats
Head Men's Soccer Coach
Luther College
ARC
garcch01@luther.edu

Michael Heffernan
Head Coach
College of St. Scholastica
MIAC
mheffern@css.edu

Michael Hollins
Assistant Director of Athletics for Student Success and Leadership
John Carroll University
OAC
mhollins@jcu.edu

Kelsey Hunter
Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Smith College
NEWMAC
klhunter@smith.edu

Stephanie Johnson
Associate Director of Athletics
Susquehanna University
Landmark
johnsonstephanie@susqu.edu

Nicole Kaupp
Assistant Athletic Director
University of Chicago
UAA
nhk@uchicago.edu

Libby Ladrach
Acting Director of Athletics
College of Wooster
NCAC
lladrach@wooster.edu

Sara Lee
Senior Associate Director of Athletics / Head Women's Basketball Coach
Denison University
NCAC
lees@denison.edu

Danielle Lynch
Director of Athletics
Haverford College
Centennial Conference
dlynch1@haverford.edu

Meghan McDonogh
Associate Director of Athletics / Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Catholic University
Landmark
mcdonogh@cua.edu

Karla Mejia
Head Athletic Trainer
New Jersey City University
NJAC
kmejia@njcu.edu

Chanelle Melton
Manager of Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance
Bridgewater State University
MASCAC
cmelton@bridgew.edu

Michael Metro
Student Success / Equity Project Manager
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
WIAC
michael.metro@uwrf.edu

Sue Patterson
Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Penn State Altoona
AMCC
sap406@psu.edu

Robert Pryor
Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Skyline Conference
pryorr@usmma.edu

KeJuanis Reese
Student-Athlete Development and Promotions Coordinator
Mount Holyoke College
NEWMAC
kreese@mtholyoke.edu

Grace Schott
Assistant Commissioner
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
HCAC
swa@heartlandconf.org

Meredith Spencer-Blaetz
Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee
Stevens Institute of Technology
MAC
mspence3@stevens.edu

Jani Springer
Assistant Director of Athletics / Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Student Success
Grinnell College
Midwest Conference
springer@grinnell.edu

Marie Stroman
Commissioner
American Rivers Conference
ARC
mstroman@rollrivers.com

Trevor Tolly
Assistant Coach
Hamline University
MIAC
trevortolly@gmail.com

Richard Warren
Assistant Athletic Director
Hanover College
HCAC
warrenr@hanover.edu

Ashlee Williams
Director of Diversity and Inclusion / Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Eastern University
MAC
ashlee.williams@eastern.edu

Ali Wilson
Assistant Commissioner
American Rivers Conference
ARC
awilson@rollrivers.com

John Wilson
Assistant Athletic Director
Howard Payne University
American Southwest Conference
johnwilson@hputx.edu

Olivia Winkfield
Assistant Athletic Director
Rochester Institute of Technology
Liberty League
omwatl@rit.edu

Shelby Yung
Student Services Coordinator
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
SCIAC
shelby.yung@pomona.edu

General questions about the Inclusive Leaders Program may be directed to Eric Hartung at ehartung@ncaa.org.

Program Details

Format: Two-hour, in-person workshop
Audience: Athletics administrators, staff and coaches
Group Size: Ideal 35; max 50
Facilitated By: Trained Division III facilitators
Cost: Free; travel covered if beyond 25 miles

Request a Workshop

Identify a trained facilitator in your region
Contact the facilitator to discuss goals, scheduling and location
Confirm participant count at least 21 days before the session
Ensure room and A/V setup meets requirements
After details are set, the facilitator will submit the official NCAA confirmation form

Submit Workshop Confirmation Form

Facilitators only: Submit once scheduling is finalized.

Additional Resources

Additional Questions? Contact Eric Hartung at ehartung@ncaa.org.