BALTIMORE, MD – It wasn't long after Jennifer S. Baker was appointed Director of Athletics & Recreation at Johns Hopkins just over 13 months ago that she commissioned the development of a strategic plan for the department.  In short, a five-year plan that would be the framework for all things Blue Jay athletics.  In everything that touches the department, especially those that directly affect the experience of more than 600 student-athletes each year, she wants Johns Hopkins to be, in her words, "the leader in this space."
 
While one of those spaces - diversity, equity and inclusion – would become a national topic in late May, Johns Hopkins had already long been active in this area.  Still, in the wake of recent tragedies, department leaders engaged student-athletes in meaningful conversation to develop priorities designed to ensure their voices were being heard, concerns were being addressed and their experiences on and off the field in this area were far exceeding the accepted.
 
"Before taking action on anything, it's important to take the time to listen and to understand the issue at hand," Baker noted.  "The experience of doing so with our black student-athletes helped us to become more focused in our efforts and to more clearly define our priorities in the short-term.  This is not a short-term problem, however, and we are committed to doing this work – to being leaders of change within our department, on campus, and in our communities – for as long as it takes to create a sustainable solution."
 
Fast forward from the start of last semester when this work began to the start of this semester and the commitment to seeking those solutions is obvious.
 
Through the course of the summer and aligned closely in those conversations with the student-athletes, members of the athletics and recreation staff established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team that will lead the department's DEI initiatives moving forward.
 
The team, which includes senior administrators, head coaches, assistant coaches and staff members, began diligently working to establish a framework by which it would operate.  In every step of the way, team members solicited feedback from student-athletes on what they perceived to be the action items, best practices and educational opportunities that would best position the department to be more action than talk.
 
Initial dialogue among the team focused on establishing a purpose and operating principles, which will provide the foundation of the team's efforts moving forward.  An in-depth agenda of educational experiences for all members of the Department of Athletics & Recreation, including administrators, coaches, staff and student-athletes, is in the final stages of development and will begin later this month.
 
Initially, these experiences will be virtual as Johns Hopkins is not planning to return students or a majority of its employees to campus until January at the earliest.  But, putting off until tomorrow what can - and should - be done today is not an option.  Ensuring that black student-athletes and employees can share their experience and help others understand those experiences will be an on-going initiative that the DEI team leads.
 
Like the broader Johns Hopkins University initiatives in this area, the DEI team will also develop programming and educational opportunities for student-athletes, coaches and staff in the areas of LGBTQ Life, Multicultural Affairs and Religious and Spiritual Life to name a few.
 
"There is a right thing here; we will do the work required to advance it, and not just within our own walls," Baker added.  "We want to be a leader in this space and meaningfully contribute to improving the lived experience of all members of our community."