Tiffin University earns honorable mention for diversity and inclusion

Tiffin, Ohio — The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) presented Tiffin University with an Honorable Mention for the 2021 Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

The NCAA/MOAA Award for Diversity and Inclusion recognizes the initiatives, policies and practices of schools and offices that embrace diversity and inclusion in intercollegiate athletics. This can be achieved through community service, professional development, hiring practices or programming activities that enhance opportunities for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences.

“We are pleased that Tiffin University received an honorable mention,” said Dr. Sharon Perry-Fantini, Vice Provost for Equity, Access & Opportunity / Title IX Coordinator. “The award reflects our dedication and commitment to continuously enhancing opportunities centered on promoting a welcoming campus in creating a culture of shared responsibility and respect.”

Over half of Tiffin University’s student population are student-athletes, with over 41 percent identifying as diverse, including individuals with disabilities, and approximately 6.5 percent identifying as LGBTQ+.

To ensure a welcoming, inclusive climate for student-athletes and staff, Tiffin University’s Office for Equity, Access and Opportunity and the Athletic Department created the following strategies, which led to earning the honorable mention:

• Creating a Culture of Shared Responsibility with Bringing in the Bystander training; student forums; revising the Peer-to-Peer Ambassador training and programming including Implicit Bias and Understanding Cultural Differences.
• Creating a Culture of Shared Respect with Awareness Campaigns including These Hands Don’t Hurt, Spread the Word to End the Word and Black Lives Matter, Safe Zone training, Critical Conversations and Unheard Voices for a Cause Silent March.

Additionally, creating specific training for student-athletes, collaborative programming with the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the creating Title IX Deputy Coordinator positions in athletics.

“Receiving this award is an excellent example of our hard work and dedication to making our campus culture inviting for all,” said Lonny Allen, Tiffin University’s Vice President of Athletics. “This year has held unimaginable challenges, but our athletic department persevered through it all, and I take enormous pride in our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff.”

Derrick Gragg, Senior Vice President of Inclusion, Education and Community Engagement for the NCAA, noted in a letter to Tiffin University, “The committee was impressed by Tiffin University’s intentional efforts to foster an inclusive campus environment for student-athletes, coaches and administrators. We congratulate and applaud Tiffin University for its leadership in advancing inclusive excellence in intercollegiate athletics.”

For more information, contact Dr. Sharon Perry-Fantini at 419.448.3504 or PerryFantiniS@tiffin.edu.