NEW YORK – Return On Inclusion, which delivers online sport-specific diversity and inclusion education, is pleased to announce its newest partner, Knox College.
Knox College is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and is an NCAA Division III institution. The Prairie Fire field 18 varsity teams.
“We are excited to bring this resource to our staff and student-athletes. This is a great way to continue our education that started in 2019 and to capture new ideas and ways to support our student-athletes and each other” director of athletics Daniella Irle said. “ROI will allow us to engage in meaningful dialogue on important issues that impact our student-athletes and campus.”
Divided into six self-paced online modules, Return On Inclusion’s comprehensive diversity and inclusion training is designed specifically for college athletic departments. Participants receive instruction on a variety of topics, including:
● 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
Instruction in all six modules is provided by ROI founder Nevin Caple, a national thought leader on diversity, inclusion and belonging in sport. The curriculum was developed by Caple in collaboration with the ROI advisory board – a diverse collection of college athletics administrators and scholars from around the country.
"I am thrilled to share ROI with the community I care so deeply about,” Caple said. “We should all have access to the tools we need to do our jobs most effectively. I hope ROI will serve as a catalyst for many institutions to prioritize learning for coaches, athletic administrators, and staff as they embark on their inclusive leadership journey."
As coaches and administrators complete the training, they will be better equipped to support and mentor student-athletes from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Participants who complete all six modules earn the ROI Inclusive Leader Certificate.
Quotes from Knox College head coaches:
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Emily Cline
“The Knox Athletics Department is committed to diversity and inclusion in all forms. I think this opportunity to participate in ROI is just another example of our commitment to inclusion in the athletics department. I am excited to see what we can learn from ROI.”
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ben Davis
"This partnership with Return On Inclusion™ is a great opportunity for our staff and student-athlete's to grow as leaders and role models within the Knox College community. Our team is made up of guys from a lot of different backgrounds as we have student-athlete's from 10 different states and 3 different countries on our roster. Developing inclusive leadership has never been more important than it is right now and this platform gives me the skills and confidence as a coach to do that within our team."
About Return on Inclusion
Return On Inclusion™ (ROI) is a sport-specific diversity and inclusion education platform dedicated to developing inclusive leaders and fostering a culture of belonging across social and cultural differences. Our self-paced modules standardize learning methods, deepening our commitment to helping every coach and athletic administrator develop the skills and competencies necessary to support student-athletes and achieve inclusive excellence in programs, policies and practices.
The ROI Advisory Board includes national thought leaders in college athletics who have made significant contributions to fostering inclusive teams and programs. Board members include: Board Chair Resa Lovelace (Maryland), DaWon Baker (Nebraska), Isa Berardo (Pomona-Pitzer), Cherish Burks (Alabama), Clyde Doughty (Bowie State), Kim Doran (Ohio State), Jessica Duff (Bates), Jaide-Hinds Clarke (Richmond), Katie Harbert (Oregon), Noah Knight (Kansas City Athletics), Yannick Kluch (Rowan), Jacqie McWilliams (CIAA), John Square (GW), Maria Sanchez (Northwestern), Whitney Johnson (NCAA).
Visit roinclusion.com or follow @ROInclusion on Twitter for more information. Return On Inclusion Press Contact: Kyle Chilton (he/him) • kyle@roinclusion.com • 801-372-2080