UW-River Falls receives NCAA/MOAA Diversity Award at the 2019 NCAA Convention (left to right) NCAA President Mark Emmert; Minority Opportunities in Athletics Administration (MOAA) President and Athletic Director at Virginia State Peggy Davis; and NCAA Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources Katrice Albert; UWRF Assistant Athletic Director Kellen Wells-Mangold; UWRF Coordinator for Diversity, Inclusion & Student-Athlete Success Chantel Flegler; UWRF Chancellor Dean Van Galen; UWRF Athletic Director Crystal Lanning.

 

UW-River Falls earns NCAA/MOAA Diversity Award

 

January 25, 2019 - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Athletics Department was honored with the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association's 2019 Award for Diversity and Inclusion during the NCAA Convention today in Orlando, Fla.

The award is a partnership between the two organizations to recognize and celebrate the practices, programs and policies of NCAA colleges, universities and athletics conference offices that embrace diversity and inclusion. Schools have been recognized for their professional development programs that help educate staff and student-athletes about inclusive practices; community outreach as it relates to diversity; and efforts that enhance opportunities for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences.

UW-River Falls has implemented comprehensive, forward-thinking initiatives that enhance culture and student success not only in athletics, but across the entire campus. Their strategic efforts to drive inclusive excellence on campus were deemed “exemplary.” 

"Inclusiveness is one of the core values of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls so we are honored to have our Athletics Department recognized as a national leader in diversity and inclusion efforts," said UW-River Falls Chancellor Dean Van Galen. “Because of these efforts, UW-River Falls is a more welcoming and inclusive campus, and our students will be better prepared to be effective leaders and citizens."

“Falcon athletics is proud to serve as a campus partner in creating opportunities to have conversations about cultural differences and supporting an environment where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated," said UW-River Falls Athletic Director Crystal Lanning.

There are over 1,100 eligible institutions in the NCAA and UWRF is the only D3 university to receive the award since its inception in 2013.

View a YouTube video put together by the NCAA regarding the award to UWRF at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1x3DFzwpo