Laker Inclusion Team

The Purpose of the Laker Inclusion Team is to initiate meaningful and measurable action that enhances diversity, equity and inclusion within our athletic department and campus community. We remain committed to providing the best student-athlete experience, for all of our student-athletes. Our actions will align with the charge of the University and the GVSU Athletics Impact Plan to:

Listen carefully and elevate the voices of our student-athletes and staff with marginalized identities, valuing each member of our community.
Deepen our understanding and knowledge through education, domestic and international cultural exchange and culture-building that reflects the diversity of our student-athlete population.
Use this understanding and knowledge as the basis for addressing institutional and systemic oppressions to make meaningful change.
Remain student-led, student-driven and intentionally responsive to the unique needs of our student-athletes and staff around issues related to racism, anti-LGBTQ biases and other oppressions.
Develop and foster a culture within Athletics that allows student-athletes to bring their whole selves via an intersectional, anti-oppression approach.
Build strategic relationships with key campus and external partners and experts to drive learning, cultural engagement and cultural expansion.

As Lakers, we ANCHOR UP and create waves for a SEA of Change.

S: Support and elevate the voices of our student-athletes and staff with marginalized identities.
E: Educate and raise awareness around institutionalized and systemic oppressions.
A: Activate change for social justice.

To become involved contact Walter Moore, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete welfare.

moorewa@gvsu.edu

(616) 331-3178

Grand Valley State University Athletics Department Non-Discrimination Statement:

GVSU Athletics goes beyond our University’s mandates on equity and is committed to creating an environment of inclusion and the highest sense of belonging for its staff and student-athletes. Inclusion is a central pillar of the GVSU Athletics Impact Plan to integrate championship excellence into everything we do. We work to continuously address issues of equity, diversity and multiculturalism, engaging inpractices and supporting policies that reflect the belief that our Athletics Department will thrive only via a more democratic and inclusive work community. This commitment is fully aligned with the GVSU institutional framework of intersectional social justice as well as its non-discrimination policies. These policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, color, gender, national origin, physical impairment, political affiliation, race, religion, or sexual orientation in the application of the all employment-related and program policies and procedures.

Lakers Learning
i. December 1, 2020: Student-Athlete Climate Survey launched

ii. February 2021: Launched Laker student-athlete focus groups

Athletic department focus on inclusion, social justice will benefit players on field - - Grand Valley Magazine (gvsu.edu)

iii. June 2, 2021: Department Wide Professional Development

Setting the Table for Inclusion: Implicit Bias Training by Ken James, Director of Inclusion-Grand Rapids Chamber

iv. July 1, 2021: Intercultural Development Inventory Roadmap for all athletic department staff members launched Intercultural Development Inventory | IDI, LLC (idiinventory.com)
v. August 19, 21: Trans 101 Training: Athlete Ally

Home - Athlete Ally

vi. August 29, 2021 Sea of Change Event