BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Athletics has partnered with industry-leading Return on Inclusion (ROI) to provide sport-specific diversity and inclusion education to coaches, staff and administrators.
"We are ecstatic to partner with ROI to provide additional education opportunities to our student-athletes, coaches and staff," Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork said. "Nevin (Caple) is the subject-matter expert that will help Texas A&M Athletics to continue to pioneer diversity and inclusion throughout this groundbreaking partnership. I am looking forward to doing the work alongside our amazing staff and I would like to acknowledge the efforts from The Aggie Commitment to bring this partnership to life. "
ROI and Founder/CEO Nevin Caple are dedicated to developing inclusive leaders and fostering a culture of belonging across social and cultural differences. The self-paced educational modules standardize learning methods, deepening the commitment to help every coach and athletic administrator develop the skills and competencies necessary to support student-athletes and achieve inclusive excellence in programs, policies and practices.
"This is a special day in college athletics," Caple said. "With a top-down commitment to the work of inclusion, Texas A&M exemplifies the importance of preparing coaches, administrators, and staff to lead inclusively. We have a significant opportunity to shape culture and center the needs of student-athletes by weaving diversity, inclusion, and belonging into every aspect of the athletic department. Under the leadership of Ross (Bjork) and his team, Texas A&M is showing us what is possible" In November 2021, ROI and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced a groundbreaking partnership to advance diversity and inclusion in college athletics. NACDA endorsed the ROI platform for individual and department-wide use for NACDA and affiliate members across the country. Bjork currently serves at the 3rd Vice President for NACDA. Caple will work with Texas A&M Athletics to identify areas for improvement and develop sport-specific inclusion strategies that align with organizational and institutional values.
Divided into six 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
Since its launch in October 2020, ROI has emerged as an industry leader, helping athletic administrators, coaches, and staff at institutions and athletics organizations at all levels of competition develop the inclusive leadership skills necessary to support student-athletes across social and cultural differences. Participants who complete all six modules earn the ROI Inclusive Leader Certificate.
About The Aggie Commitment In alignment with the Core Values at Texas A&M University, "The Aggie Commitment" is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative within Aggie Athletics. The Aggie Commitment aims to develop and implement plans and strategies to increase equity and maintain an environment of inclusiveness. The Aggie Commitment is focused on promoting unity, education and engagement through five primary objectives, or 'pillars'; Hiring, Retention & Representation, Celebrating Black History & Underrepresented Groups, The Student-Athlete Experience, Continuing Education and Social & Community Engagement.
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.
For more information on the ROI and NACDA partnership, visit: nacda.roinclusion.com.