The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Athletics & Recreation has been selected as the Division III recipient of the 2025 NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) Award for Diversity and Inclusion. This prestigious recognition highlights the department’s unwavering dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in collegiate athletics.
St. Mary’s College joins Division I’s Villanova University and Division II’s Southern Connecticut State University as recipients of this year’s award. The honor celebrates institutions or conference offices in each NCAA division for their exemplary policies, practices, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These efforts may span professional development, hiring practices, programming, and community service activities.
Leadership Acknowledges Commitment to Inclusivity
“We are extremely honored to receive this recognition,” said Crystal Gibson, Director of Athletics & Recreation at St. Mary’s College. “I am thankful to work at such an incredible institution with inclusive values that match our athletic department’s initiatives and even more grateful for the incredible staff, coaches, and student-athletes that support our mission each and every day.”
Felicia Martin, senior vice president of inclusion, education, and community engagement at the NCAA, underscored the significance of the award. “The effective application of inclusion is intentional creation of policies, procedures, and practices that acknowledge cultural experiences and invite all voices to the decision-making table,” Martin said. “This honor celebrates the efforts of member schools and conference offices that embrace diversity and set a standard of inclusive excellence.”
The award recipients will be recognized at the 2025 NCAA Convention on January 14 in Nashville, Tenn., during the Convention Welcome and Awards Presentation.
Pioneering Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
St. Mary’s College has earned this accolade through its multifaceted approach to diversity and inclusion. The athletics department has adopted intentional recruitment and programming strategies that engage student-athletes, staff, campus partners, alumni, and the local community. These efforts reflect the college’s overarching commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The department’s initiatives are anchored by the “St. Mary’s Way,” a pledge adopted by all students, faculty, and staff to uphold principles of diversity, respect, and inclusion. The athletics department has aligned its core pillars of community engagement, education, and DEI with this institutional pledge, creating a holistic approach to inclusivity.
Continuous Assessment and Innovative Programming
To ensure its DEI efforts remain effective and adaptive, the department employs a range of evaluation methods. These include mandatory diversity reviews during hiring processes, debriefings after cultural celebration events, feedback from campus organizations, and campus-wide town halls focused on DEI topics. These evaluations guide ongoing improvements in the department’s practices and policies.
The department also offers extensive programming aimed at increasing cultural awareness and practical competencies. Events such as National Coming Out Day, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month celebration games, and Diversity Night have become staples of campus and community engagement. Other initiatives include hosting women’s history panels, organizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service activities, and collaborating with the Special Olympics.
Staff and student-athletes further enhance their understanding of DEI topics through microaggression training sessions and participation in the NCAA Inclusion Forum. These opportunities equip participants with the tools to build a more inclusive athletics community.
Community Partnerships and Sustainability
The Seahawks athletics department has strengthened its efforts through partnerships with campus diversity leaders, local organizations, and minority-owned businesses. Collaborations with groups such as the Special Olympics, Southern Maryland Parks and Recreation, and campus DEI organizations have bolstered the department’s ability to create meaningful change.
To sustain its progress, the department has implemented several key policies. These include requiring diversity statements from job applicants, reading land acknowledgments at athletics events, and employing targeted recruitment strategies. Additionally, a Student and Staff Leadership and Engagement group works to address DEI action items and foster collaboration across campus.
A Model for Division III Excellence
United East Conference Commissioner Stephanie Dutton praised St. Mary’s College for its impactful work. “We are so proud of St. Mary’s College of Maryland as this is a tremendous recognition for the Seahawks’ campus, staff, students, and community. The work they have committed to deserves to be recognized and commended as it is intentional, meaningful, and impactful,” Dutton said. “They are an outstanding representative of the work being done throughout Division III.”
As St. Mary’s College prepares to receive this prestigious award, the recognition serves as a testament to the institution’s commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity in collegiate athletics.
