Schmidt to Represent MSUM In CSC 2023-24 Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Class
Nolan Schmidt, MSUM’s Assistant Athletics Director for Media and Public Relations, will be participating in the College Sports Communicators Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship, in partnership with the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. He is one of a record 20 members who are slated to study issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in athletics communications and within college athletics overall during the 2023-24 academic year.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be named to CSC’s Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship,” said Schmidt. “It will allow me the opportunity to network and learn from skilled and knowledgeable thought-leaders as well as fellow college sports communicators. The theme for the fellowship is ‘Championing an Inclusive Culture’ and I am so excited to bring what I learn back to not only our department, but campus as a whole. My hope is to help foster and amplify a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging here at MSUM with our student-athletes and campus at-large. Not only that, but I am so eager to continue my learning and growth process in the DEIB space, because the work is never finished and there are no limits on what you can learn. I know this fellowship will be a transformative experience for myself and I cannot wait to get started.”
Monthly sessions will center on how to champion an inclusive culture in the workplace through leadership, mentorship, and diversity and inclusion best practices. This will include fellows taking a deeper examination of their offices, communication strategies, constituents, hiring practices and themselves. Program faculty will include highly regarded thought leaders from within college athletics and outside the industry. The program is administered by members of CSC’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
“MSUM prides itself on our efforts in Diversity and Inclusion,” said Athletics Director Chad Markuson. “I am proud and excited for Nolan Schmidt to be a member of this exclusive group of College Sports Communicators in this year long fellowship and learn industry gold standards in our communication channels in Athletics.”
Introduced in early 2022, the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship is a year-long educational series for select members of CSC designed to provide insights into diversity and inclusion issues, values and opportunities for communication professionals in college sports. The program is a partnership between CSC and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and encourages a greater understanding of how those in athletics communications offices at all levels become effective champions for diversity and inclusion in college athletics.
“To see this Fellowship continue to evolve and move into its third cohort of communicators seeking to be better DEIB practitioners is truly remarkable and rewarding,” said Scottie Rodgers, CSC Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship co-founder, CSC Diversity and Inclusion Committee chair, and director of communications at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. “This shows CSC’s continued commitment to create community, cultivate impactful educational opportunities and remain steadfast on the journey to have an inclusive organization for its members.”
“Through this innovative Fellowship, CSC and the Knight Commission are continuing to provide important leadership and solutions for athletics communications and all of college sports,” said Erik Christianson, CSC executive director. “We’re grateful for this impactful partnership with the Knight Commission and look forward to future growth and success.”
“We take immense pride in our continued support for this initiative,” said Amy Privette Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. “When we released our ‘Achieving Racial Equity in College Sports’ report, we hoped it would spawn initiatives like the College Sports Communicators Fellowship program. This group’s dedicated efforts in fostering diversity within the college sports industry has been inspiring to witness.”
College Sports Communicators Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Class of 2023-24
David Ambrose, University of New England (NCAA Division III)
Assistant Athletics Director for Communication/Operations
Hanna Boyd, Georgia Tech (NCAA Division I)
Postgrad Intern
JaeLynn Ellison, William Jewell College (NCAA Division II)
Assistant Athletics Director for Communication/Senior Woman Administrator
Hillary Fisher, Anne Arundel Community College (Two-Year College)
Assistant Athletic Director, Communications
Francis Forte, Dartmouth College (NCAA Division I)
Assistant Director of Varsity Athletics Communications
Lauren Gaudion, Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (Advocate Member)
Director of Communications
Lindsay Graham, Simmons University (NCAA Division III)
Director of Athletic Communications, Marketing and Promotions
Liz Holbrook, University of Evansville (NCAA Division I)
Director of Media Relations
Spencer Honda, University of Hawaii at Hilo (NCAA Division II)
Sports Information Director
Candy Jimenez-Caballero, Midland University (NAIA)
Instructor of Sport Management
Alex King, University of Mount Olive (NCAA Division II)
Director of Athletic Communications
Sam Knehans, Sun Belt Conference (NCAA Division I)
Senior Associate Commissioner, Chief Communications & Branding Officer
Billy Mangum, Sun Belt Conference (NCAA Division I)
Director of Communications
Jose Montoya, Eastern New Mexico University (NCAA Division II)
Assistant Athletic Director – Marketing and Communications
Ali Paquette, Middlebury College (NCAA Division III)
Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Communications
Terica Peay, South Carolina State (NCAA Division I)
Assistant Director of Media Relations
Nolan Schmidt, MSU Moorhead (NCAA Division II)
Assistant Athletics Director for Media/Public Relations
Airis Thomas, Winston-Salem State University (NCAA Division II)
Sports Information Director
Stephen Trembley, Fresno State Athletic Corporation (NCAA Division I)
Senior Director of Broadcast Strategies
About College Sports Communicators
College Sports Communicators is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its more than 4,100 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC’s signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 40,000 of the world’s most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports.