UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics announced a partnership with Dedication to Community (D2C) to provide programming for its student-athletes covering topics such as diversity, equity and belonging, relationships with law enforcement and connections with the community.
The purpose of the partnership is to establish a climate of mutual respect and support for individual differences regardless of color, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability and ethnicity to maximize one's full potential and function as a cohesive group, free of prejudice, discrimination and harassment.
"When [Dr.] Pat [Kraft] mentioned he wanted to work with the Dedication to Community (D2C) team, I was elated," said Deputy Athletics Director Lauren Rhodes. "As we seek to educate, encourage and empower our student-athletes, coaches and staff in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, D2C's mission is in direct alignment with what we do here at Penn State. Under the guidance of Christina Diaz, assistant athletic director for development & enrichment, we can bring revolutionary programming to our constituents as conversations like these must continue for the holistic development of our department, and the individuals in which we serve."
"Educating Student-Athletes for Unity & Action" is a program created to educate and engage student-athletes in proactive discussion and skills-building centered around DEI, and relationships with law enforcement and the community. The primary objectives are to provide principles and practical tips for building and sustaining healthy relationships, and to model and demonstrate positive ways to engage the University and broader communities. D2C will hold four sessions for the ICA staff and the 800-plus Penn State student-athletes in late August, and they will return in the spring for additional sessions.
D2C is a national non-profit which focuses on educating and empowering communities through skill-building workshops, forums and community events. These interactions help foster relationships and improve collective understanding to drive healing, reconciliation and unity.
For more information on D2C, please visit www.dedicationtocommunity.org.
