Each NE10 School Has Designated an ADID on Campus.
MANSFIELD, Mass. – In coordination with the NCAA’s Diversity & Inclusion campaign this week and its Day 2 theme of “I’ve Got Your Back”, the Northeast-10 Conference is proud to shine a light on its ADIDs – athletics diversity & inclusion designees.
The NCAA announced this past August that each athletic department and conference office would be required to name a primary point of contact known as an ADID to receive and distribute information around inclusive programs and emerging diversity issues.
In the past two months, the NE10 and its 14 member institutions have done just that – selecting either university or athletics personnel on campus to serve in this role and provide information for its institutions and student-athletes.
The NCAA’s Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) began discussions around the designation two years ago. The role, which was approved by Divisions I, II and III at the NCAA Convention in January, will serve as a gatekeeper of information who will engage with various audiences such as national office staff, student-athletes, athletic departments, conference administrators and campus officials who are involved with athletics or university inclusion.
“We, MOIC, are very happy to see the support of the membership around the ADID,” said Jose Rodriguez, chair of MOIC and chief diversity officer at Cabrini University. “We look forward to seeing all of the ADIDs and the athletic departments and conference offices working together and moving forward and creating their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.”
The list of ADIDs in the NE10 is below. For more information on the position, read below to hear them talk about this new role in their own words:
NE10: Julie Ruppert
Adelphi: Jessica Roque
AIC: Stephanie Jarosik
Assumption: Judy Heersink
Bentley: Alvin Reynolds
Franklin Pierce: Jonathan Garbar
Le Moyne: Karin Botto
New Haven: Robin Salters
Pace: Tiffany Hamilton
Saint Anselm: Carolyn King-Robitaille
Saint Michael’s: Sarah Childs
Saint Rose: Karen Haag
Southern Connecticut: Alick Letang
Southern New Hampshire: Nicole Ham
Stonehill: Latesha Fussell
What is the role of an ADID?
Jessica Roque, Adelphi: “The ADID is the bridge in regards to diversity and inclusion between the athletics department and everyone else - the NCAA, the NE10, and the rest of the Adelphi community. I was very excited that the requirement to include an ADID in an athletics department was passed by Division II because it shows that we as a division are determined to elevate the attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and work to better everyone in these regards.”
Jonathan Garbar, Franklin Pierce: “I see the role of an ADID as an individual who serves as a leader within the realm of diversity and inclusion, both within their respective athletic department as well as the campus community. Someone who creates an environment of solidarity through meaningful and consistent engagement.”
Nicole Ham, Southern New Hampshire: “The role of the ADID at SNHU is to be the point of contact for diversity and inclusion in the athletic department. The ADID will work together with our Chief Diversity Officer on campus to receive and distribute information across campus. The ADID will also work together with the NCAA, NE10 and fellow DII institutions in regard to diversity and inclusion.”
How do you plan to be an advocate for the growth and development of diversity and inclusion practices on your campus?
Judy Heersink, Assumption: “Since my work already correlates with our Cross Cultural Center, I have been fortunate enough to work with our coach teams, student-athletes and our SAAC student leaders in leading conversations on race, sharing programs that they can attend and working with our Director of Athletics to look more in depth into what specific training and affirming items can be brought to the table.”
Alvin Reynolds, Bentley: “I plan to serve as an athletic department liaison with regards to developing, implementing, and executing strategies for the recruitment and retention of black and underrepresented student-athletes. Additionally, I will collaborate with multiple campus partners, campus units, committees and student organizations regarding diversity and inclusion to ensure integration into all student-athlete development efforts. (i.e. Office of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, MCC, BIRT and Student Affairs Equity and Inclusion Committee).”
Robin Salters, New Haven: “In the last several years, our University and our President have shown an increasing level of commitment to diversity and inclusion. Even prior to the NCAA designation of ADID, in my role as an athletics administrator I have served on the university’s IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access) Council for a number of years. Through the IDEA Council I have represented the athletics department’s perspectives on several subcommittees resulting in an updated Gender Identity/Expression Policy and a greater focus on diverse student recruitment and retention policies and practices.
This past summer, in the wake of the social unrest stemming from the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I spearheaded the development of a student-led group called the Chargers Alliance. The Alliance’s goal is to provide student-athletes a safe space and place to share their thoughts and feelings on issues of diversity and inclusion. Their mission is to use their voices to educate themselves and others on a variety of DEI topics and to effect change in any discriminatory practices they may encounter while a student-athlete here. Upon graduation, those student-athletes that have been involved with Chargers Alliance initiatives will be more prepared to navigate and succeed in the diverse society in which we live.”
Carolyn King-Robitaille, Saint Anselm: “I intend on providing programming and education to our administration as well as our coaches and student-athletes. I will solicit information from coaches and student-athletes on what we can do better and how we can better support them as individuals. I will continue to partner with our Intercultural Center, Chief Diversity Office, and our student diversity and inclusion groups to collaborate throughout the year with events, programs, and awareness campaigns.”
How and when should student-athletes contact you? What is the best way for their voices to be heard as it relates to this ADID position?
Stephanie Jarosik, AIC: “Anytime! If a student-athlete has a concern, or has an event idea related to diversity & inclusion, they can always reach me via e-mail or stop by my office.”
Karen Haag, Saint Rose: “Student-athletes can contact me via email, Zoom (through Navigate app) or at 518- 454-2064. They can contact me with concerns, ideas and suggestions. I am here to support inclusionary excellence in any way I can.”
Alick Letang, Southern Connecticut: “Student-athletes can contact me via in-person, email, virtually or by phone. Student–athletes should contact me whenever they are in need of another voice or ear. The ADID will be instrumental in helping to promote inclusive excellence, but also be that agent to connect with coaches and administrators.”
Latesha Fussell, Stonehill: “Students can reach out to me by stopping by the Office of Intercultural Affairs in Duffy 149 between 8:30 am-4:30 pm. They could also reach out to me via phone or email at 508.565.1411 or diversity@stonehill.edu. I am always looking for ways to cultivate new relationships with our student-athletes and will love to sit down chat about what aspects of diversity matters to you. You can send me an email, schedule a meeting (I love to chat over a meal), or give me a call. I am looking forward to connecting with you!”
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
