Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State To Participate In Celebrating Diversity And Inclusion In Collegiate Athletics
10/21/2019 11:06:00 AM | General
The Beach is proud to have a 15-member committee advancing those goals.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State is proud to join the NCAA in Diversity and Inclusion week as part of a greater discussion on building a stronger and more cohesive community at the Beach.
To that end, Director of Athletics Andy Fee and Long Beach State have created their own Diversity and Inclusion committee. Chaired by Women's Track and Field Head Coach LaTanya Sheffield, the committee's goals are to encourage discussion of diversity and communicate the benefit of inclusive environments to the student-athlete experience.
"Diversity and inclusion challenge preconceived stereotypes and encourage critical thinking," noted Fee. "It helps us learn to communicate with people of varied backgrounds and beliefs, makes us stronger, and builds community on our campus. Our goal is for all persons of all identities to feel welcome and valued on our campus, to thrive and succeed."
Led by Sheffield, the committee features a mix of administrators, coaches, student-athletes and key university officials to help shape Long Beach State's efforts in this area.
"In our efforts to better understand and address the challenges that divide us, our committee completed an intensive training session, and then we introduced our committee functions to our student-athletes," said Sheffield. "We are now excited to announce our plan to implement training for the entire athletic department, along with creating activities that celebrate our unique differences.
"This group has been committed to shaping a platform that supports, acknowledges, emboldens and celebrates all members of the athletic community. I am humbled to serve as the Chair of such a dynamic group and look forward to working with various campus groups."
The creation of this committee was in part the result of a 2018 department-wide assessment with the goal of learning more about the climate and culture of Long Beach State Athletics. Following that assessment, Fee and Sheffield worked together to create the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
"It's all about creating a feeling of inclusion for all people and facets of our community," said committee member and men's basketball player Colin Slater. "We need to all have a solid foundation and understanding of where we all come from, and have the tools to work with each other.
"As a student-athlete, we are ambassadors for the University. When people see us anywhere wearing Long Beach State Basketball, they see how we act and think 'That's how the school is.' We always represent the institution, so it's important that we have a voice and play a role in this committee."
Senior Women's Volleyball player Kjersti Norveel also provides a unique perspective. "As an international student coming from another culture, being on the committee makes me feel like I have a voice for those who come from different backgrounds," said Norveel. "I can see the value of all the different backgrounds and it is special for me to be a part of this group. Diversity is so meaningful for the university."
To that end, Director of Athletics Andy Fee and Long Beach State have created their own Diversity and Inclusion committee. Chaired by Women's Track and Field Head Coach LaTanya Sheffield, the committee's goals are to encourage discussion of diversity and communicate the benefit of inclusive environments to the student-athlete experience.
"Diversity and inclusion challenge preconceived stereotypes and encourage critical thinking," noted Fee. "It helps us learn to communicate with people of varied backgrounds and beliefs, makes us stronger, and builds community on our campus. Our goal is for all persons of all identities to feel welcome and valued on our campus, to thrive and succeed."
Led by Sheffield, the committee features a mix of administrators, coaches, student-athletes and key university officials to help shape Long Beach State's efforts in this area.
"In our efforts to better understand and address the challenges that divide us, our committee completed an intensive training session, and then we introduced our committee functions to our student-athletes," said Sheffield. "We are now excited to announce our plan to implement training for the entire athletic department, along with creating activities that celebrate our unique differences.
"This group has been committed to shaping a platform that supports, acknowledges, emboldens and celebrates all members of the athletic community. I am humbled to serve as the Chair of such a dynamic group and look forward to working with various campus groups."
The creation of this committee was in part the result of a 2018 department-wide assessment with the goal of learning more about the climate and culture of Long Beach State Athletics. Following that assessment, Fee and Sheffield worked together to create the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
"It's all about creating a feeling of inclusion for all people and facets of our community," said committee member and men's basketball player Colin Slater. "We need to all have a solid foundation and understanding of where we all come from, and have the tools to work with each other.
"As a student-athlete, we are ambassadors for the University. When people see us anywhere wearing Long Beach State Basketball, they see how we act and think 'That's how the school is.' We always represent the institution, so it's important that we have a voice and play a role in this committee."
Senior Women's Volleyball player Kjersti Norveel also provides a unique perspective. "As an international student coming from another culture, being on the committee makes me feel like I have a voice for those who come from different backgrounds," said Norveel. "I can see the value of all the different backgrounds and it is special for me to be a part of this group. Diversity is so meaningful for the university."
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