Athletics Diversity 

The Department of Athletics' Committee on Equity and Diversity is committed to insuring that its coaches, staff and student-athletes achieve the highest level of success while working to create an inclusive environment where all members of the department realize individual and collective excellence. The Committee will encourage the engagement of equity issues while enriching coaches, staff, and student-athletes understanding of the benefits of diversity and inclusion to their immediate and long-term success.

It's objective is to enrich the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics' understanding of the various dimensions and value of equity and diversity in the pursuit of excellence.

Working in conjunction with the University's Office of Institutional Diversity, the Committee coordinates the efforts and activities of the Athletics Department. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Committee hosted training sessions for coaches, staff and student-athletes, sponsored by the NCAA; along with endorsing the efforts of student-athletes in the department's second annual Fun Day for local youth.

Each year, the Committee works to develop programs and events supporting the goals and objectives outlined above. As events are added to the calendar, this Web site will highlight those efforts. Additionally, we will present information on scholarship and award possibilities as well.

John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards

The John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards are presented to senior-level minority students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in athletics administration. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant.

John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards

Criteria: (1) full-time status as a senior at the time of nomination OR an undergraduate degree with two years work experience, preferably in athletics administration; (2) minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); (3) official classification as a minority as defined by federal guidelines; (4) intention to attend graduate school to earn a degree in athletics administration; and (5) involvement on the college/university or community level. Please note all nomination forms must be received in the NACDA office (not postmarked) by Monday, June 16, 2008.

ATHLETICS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY BEGINS WITH SUPPORT FOR ALL TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Below are excerpts from the University's complete brochure on diversity which highlight key diversity initiatives and programs and which is available at: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/diversity.

"At Texas Tech University our commitment to diversity includes working with the most distinguished faculty and students from across the world. Our university is a community of scholars and students who believe and invest in people and the diverse talents, insights and experiences they introduce to the intellectual and social enterprise of the institution. From academic to student support services, Texas Tech is a world-class university that strives to make the idea of excellence and equity a daily reality for faculty, staff and students. You have just read a sample of the variety and depth of activities underway on our campus to ensure that all members of our community are supported in the realization of their personal or professional aspirations. Join us at Texas Tech, and you will see that from here, it's possible."

- Juan Sanchez Muñoz, PhD, Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity, Associate Vice Provost, Academic Development, Associate Professor, College of Education -

STUDENT PROGRAMS & ORGANIZATIONS
Countless opportunities for student involvement create a sense of belonging and community. From academic support to abundant social activities, Texas Tech is a place where everyone can feel at home.

CENTER FOR CAMPUS LIFE
The Center for Campus Life's programs, activities and services contribute to a rewarding student experience while more than 400 registered student organizations provide plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Opportunities include the Women's Leadership Program, Civic Engagement Programs, First Year Raider Experience, Greek Life and Student Organizations.

1. Organizations are classified by categories:
2. Academic/Professional
3. Religious
4. Fraternity/Sorority
5. Honorary
6. International and Multicultural
7. Recreation
8. Service
9. Special Interest
10. Spirit
11. Residence Hall

The Center fosters an inclusive environment, coordinating multicultural services, programs and events, including activities that celebrate and support the various cultures that make up the community through the Diversity Awareness Team.

Organization services include:

1. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Women's History Month, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Month and Native American Heritage Month.
2. Supporting multicultural student organizations in their programming for campus cultural awareness events such as the Intercultural Gathering Dinner and Dia de Los Muertos.
3. Presenting diverse speakers and programs such as Coach Carter, Finesse Mitchell, Orchestra Africa, Ballet Hispanico, Whirling Dervishes and Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats. Cross-Cultural Academic Advancement Center. The Center helps prepare all students for a pluralistic society and functions as a multipurpose unit, offering culturally relevant programming that reflects an academic commitment. Through collaborative efforts the Center seeks to leverage resources to maximize effectiveness and is focused on retention activities and referral services. It is accessible to all members of the university community with the initial target being students who are underperforming academically and those from various underrepresented groups.

MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Texas Tech was awarded the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program by the U.S. Department of Education in 1995. The program prepares First Generation College (FGC) students from low-income backgrounds for doctoral study.

MENTOR TECH
Through programs, services, advocacy and campus and community involvement, Mentor Tech endeavors to improve the retention and eventual graduation rates of students from underrepresented groups.

PEGASUS (Pioneers in Education: Generations Achieving Scholarship & Unprecedented Success)
This academic advising program supports FGC students in making a successful transition to college.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA)
The SGA is responsible for distributing $360,000 a year to fund various student organizations, including honorary, military, multicultural, religious, service and special interests groups. The SGA has a Student Senate comprised of a diverse student population from all colleges.

UPWARD BOUND
This academic enrichment program is designed to recruit and assist high school students showing academic potential who come from families with limited financial resources and whose parents do not have a bachelor's degree.

TTU/TTUHSC BLACK FACULTY AND STAFF ASSOCIATION
This advocacy organization is committed to assuming a leadership role and setting a tone for building a sense of community among Africana people (the collective of African descendants of the Continent and the Diaspora), including black faculty, staff and students in the university community and within the larger African American community.

LATINO(A)/HISPANIC FACULTY AND STAFF ASSOCIATION (LHFSA)
Established in 2003 to proportionally increase the presence and improve the opportunities for Latino(a)s/Hispanics at Texas Tech. LHFSA's goals--aimed at enhancing the academic, workplace and social experience--include increasing its involvement within the university structure, promoting professional relations, advocating for accountability and partnering with Latino(a)/Hispanic organizations in the community.

DISABILITY PROGRAMS
o Access TECH provides service, support and education to all students with disabilities including full access to and participation in the academic environment as well as reasonable accommodations in the classroom. o TECHniques Center provides supplemental academic support services to meet the needs of and to promote the retention of undergraduate students with documented evidence of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder.