Cal Maritime collaborates with Return On Inclusion to enhance cadet-athletes' experience

VALLEJO, Calif. – Cal Maritime Athletics and Physical Education is partnering with Return On Inclusion, an online sport-specific diversity and inclusion education program for college athletic departments and other sport-related organizations, as announced by Director of Athletics and Physical Education Karen Yoder on Wednesday. 

"Cal Maritime is excited to participate in this diversity, equity and inclusion education program," said Yoder. "By strengthening our inclusive leadership skills, everyone in the department will possess the knowledge and tools needed to support our cadet-athletes and enhance their undergraduate experience."

Divided into six self-paced online modules, Keelhauler staff will receive instruction on a variety of topics that include:

• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Foundations
• Cultural Competence & Managing Relationships
• Overcoming Bias, Microaggressions & Covering
• Unpacking Racism, Anti-Racism & Privilege
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Gender Stereotypes
• Inclusive Leadership & Strategic Plan Development

"Diversity, equity and inclusion is a learned skill set," said Return On Inclusion founder Nevin Caple. "We don't just show up one day knowing what to do, it takes time, practice, and commitment, just like learning a sport or anything of importance. This is our opportunity to provide a resource that will make us better humans, center the experiences of our student-athletes, and improve college athletics for future generations."

Coaches, administrators, and staff members who complete the training will become better equipped to support and mentor student-athletes from diverse social and cultural backgrounds; participants who complete all six modules earn the Return On Inclusion Leader Certificate.

Caple, a national thought leader on diversity, inclusion and belonging in sport, developed the curriculum in collaboration with the ROI advisory board – a diverse collection of college athletics administrators and scholars from around the country.