Return On Inclusion x Ice Miller Announce DEI Review Partnership

Return On Inclusion (ROI) and Ice Miller Racial Equity Solutions (RES) are teaming up to assist college athletic departments in taking the next steps to create equitable environments for student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

“ROI is excited to partner with Ice Miller RES, while collaborating with the broader community of athletic administrators working to advance equity and belonging at their respective institutions and conferences,” said Nevin Caple, ROI founder and CEO. “This partnership provides a seamless transition between the DEI review and change management processes to ensure institutions have access to sustainable solutions to meet the structural and cultural needs of student-athletes and staff.”

This partnership comes at a crucial time as all NCAA Division I institutions are required to complete the diversity, equity and inclusion attestation by November 3, 2023. The purpose of the attestation is to help athletics leadership review diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs to identify developmental needs and implement targeted solutions. 

“As member institutions work to better understand the impact of their efforts and the unique needs of the communities we serve, resources and support from industry leaders committed to advancing the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in intercollegiate athletics play a pivotal role in our collective success,” said Maria Sanchez, Senior Associate AD at Northwestern University.

ROI x Ice Miller offer customizable service models that use data driven methods and practical solutions to support institutions in the DEI review process. Each organization brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the partnership. 

Ice Miller has extensive experience working in higher education, helping organizations understand their current climate and what steps need to be taken to elevate their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. ROI is a consultancy and sport-specific learning platform providing athletic administrators, coaches, and staff with the necessary tools to develop inclusive leadership skills and implement change management processes to create welcoming and inclusive athletic environments. ROI was endorsed by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) for department-wide use.

“Ice Miller RES is excited to partner with ROI in this work. This collaboration is designed to assist member schools and conferences through the DEI review process and provide a full scope of services in support of meaningful change,” said Myra Selby, partner at Ice Miller.      

The DEI Review partnership is coordinated by Selby and Kristen Matha, Ice Miller’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion along with Nevin Caple, Founder & CEO of ROI. For those interested in learning more about the ROI x Ice Miller partnership, a webinar for conference and campus athletics administrators will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 1:00pm-2:00pm EST. Register for the webinar here.

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About Return On Inclusion

Return On Inclusion™ (ROI) develops inclusive leaders in college athletics and professional sports through leadership consulting and online learning. The sport-specific ROI learning platform equips coaches, administrators, and staff with the skills necessary to create inclusive cultures and structures, initiate change management processes, and center the evolving needs of student-athletes, closing the gap between thought and action. ROI consulting services address the most critical needs of each client while identifying opportunities to integrate a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) throughout the college athletics and professional sports ecosystem.

About Ice Miller Racial Equity Solutions

Ice Miller RES works with clients to create environments with national best-practice solutions that promote respect, fairness, and equity. Every organization is different and possesses strengths and areas for growth that can be leveraged to make meaningful progress. Ice Miller’s team is uniquely equipped to understand the higher education landscape, the strategies needed to drive fair outcomes for historically marginalized communities, and the relevant state and federal laws impacting institutions.