STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern Athletics Department, led by Director of Athletics Jared Benko, announced Wednesday the formation of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) task force. This group is a coalition of student-athletes, athletic staff and coaches who all have committed themselves to develop best practices, strategies, and educational components regarding diversity and inclusion.

This effort, which began in June, will work in concert with the university-wide Inclusive Excellence initiative designed to enhance the campus climate as it relates to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Senior Associate Athletic Director, Reggie Simpkins, has been selected to lead the DEI task force.

"This is an opportunity that I have accepted because I want to make sure that we are working collectively with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, campus community, and the Statesboro area to create positive change in our community," Simpkins said. "We want to ensure that we create a welcoming environment where we can openly discuss issues that take place in society while creating realistic measures to educate and grow."

Georgia Southern Athletics is committed to cultivating an empowering atmosphere of diverse cultures and experiences. The Georgia Southern Athletic Department will keep diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront; as a movement and not just a moment. We draw on the variances in our experiences, our thoughts, and who we are. We strive for a Georgia Southern, where all students can be their authentic selves and feel welcomed, respected, and recognized. Georgia Southern Athletics aims to provide an inclusive environment for our entire athletics department, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, socioeconomic background, disability, or other defining characteristics. We simply believe that an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community is core to our identity and creates space for greater ideas and actions. Discrimination of any kind has no place in Georgia Southern Athletics, whether in the classroom, on the court/field, on social media, in the locker room, or in the stands. Eagle Nation will also continuously strive to grow ourselves in diversity, equity, and inclusion so that we can grow others!

"Now, more than ever, we need to come together and focus our collective time and energy toward creating and administering a culture of inclusion, unity, and mutual respect," Benko said. "It is imperative that we take time to listen, be open-minded, and empathetic. Real, honest conversations and actions are required for positive and substantive change. By working collectively as one unit, we can serve as positive change agents for lasting impacts on our campus, city, and country. We are here to support our student-athletes and coaches in all they do, and I am proud of them for using their platform to bring people together."

"The creation of this task force is an acknowledgment that we can do better in cultivating an environment where all are seen, heard, and valued," said Dr. TaJuan Wilson, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence at Georgia Southern. "I am grateful to these task force members for devoting their energy, perspective, and time as we seek tangible ways to make sure that every student, faculty and staff have an affirming experience on our campus and in our athletic department."

The DEI Task Force meets regularly to review and discuss:

• Conduct a complete review of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct to provide expectations and guidelines of behavior that align with institutional values specific to inclusive excellence.
• Mandate annual inclusive excellence training for all student-athletes, staff, trainers, and coaches in the department of athletics at Georgia Southern University.
• Facilitate additional training for athletic teams and/or individual athletes when/if behaviors are deemed outside the values of inclusive excellence as defined by the university.
• The DEI task force will assist in identifying potential Community Impact Projects and present to the student-athletes and athletics staff. The Community Impact Projects will be a collaboration of student-athletes, coaches, staff, the campus community, and the Statesboro/Bulloch County community.
• Inclusive Excellence Speaker/Film Series: Georgia Southern Athletics will schedule and sponsor a series of educational and informative presentations by local, regional, and national leaders in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives topics, and policy. The DEI Task Force will identify potential speakers/films to share with the student-athletes and athletic administration.
• Ensure diverse, equitable and equal talent acquisition, retention and professional development are being provided.
• Create an environment for our student-athletes, staff, and coaches to engage in conversation on issues impacting marginalized individuals in sport and society.
• Chair of the DEI Task Force liaises with the President's Diversity Advisory Council (PDAC).

Community Outreach Committee
• Gleen Hart - Senior Associate Athletics Director
• Anita Howard - Head Women's Basketball Coach
• Nicole Mitchell - Associate Director of Student-Athlete Services
• Katie Knight - Women's Swimming & Diving Student-Athlete
• Baylor Bumford - Volleyball Student-Athlete

Awareness Committee
• Kim Dean - Head Softball Coach
• Dr. Chris Geyerman - Faculty Athletics Representative
• B.J. Green - Assistant Head Baseball Coach
• Isabelle Bray - SAAC President, Women's Swimming and Diving Student-Athlete
• Taylor Sherwin - Assistant Volleyball Coach
• Shayla Smith - Softball Student-Athlete

Education and Accountability Committee
• Sandra Worman - Head Women's Rifle Coach
• Don Day - Director of Strength & Conditioning for Olympic Sports
• Alia Booth - Softball Student-Athlete
• Jeremy Smith - Football Student-Athlete
• Mya Wilson - Volleyball Student-Athlete

Hiring and Retention Committee
• Nick Sparacio - Associate Head Athletic Trainer
• Kevin Whitley - Assistant Football Coach
• Jaclyn Schroeder - Athletic Business Assistant
• Mekhia Freeman - Softball Student-Athlete

The University's center pillar in its new Strategic Plan is Inclusive Excellence. Georgia Southern University celebrates diversity in all its forms. All populations will feel valued and respected, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability. In addition, the University will capitalize on distinctive, unique campus cultures while encouraging strong institutional unity. For more information, click here.