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Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics
Fourth year of the program extends partnership with the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics
The fourth CSC Inclusion Fellowship class, provided in partnership with the
Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, includes a diverse group of 12 CSC members who will study issues around championing an inclusive culture in athletics communications and within college athletics overall during the 2024-25 academic year.
The program kicks off in September and culminates at the association’s 2025 CSC Unite in Orlando where the fellows will be recognized and assist in executing the convention’s inclusion-based programming.
"The commitment from CSC and the Knight Commission to fully support this Fellowship shows the significance and importance of having this kind of educational opportunity for our CSC members," said
Scottie Rodgers, CSC Inclusion Fellowship co-founder, CSC Inclusion Committee chair and vice president of communications at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. "I am proud of the Fellowship's success in its first three years and excited about how this fourth cohort will continue to provide our members the information, resources and knowledge to grow professionally and personally.”
Monthly sessions will center on how to champion an inclusive culture in the workplace through leadership, mentorship and inclusive best practices. Fellows will be challenged to take 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 Inclusion Committee.
“The Inclusion Fellowship Class is a key part of CSC's educational programming and helps to address the all-important issue of inclusion in collegiate athletics, especially within athletics communications. From working with student-athletes and coaches to departmental hiring practices, the lessons learned in this program are impactful and will develop leaders within our profession,” said CSC Interim Executive Director
Will Roleson. "We appreciate the Knight Commission's continuing support of this important initiative and look forward to expanding it in the years to come.”
Introduced in early 2022, the Inclusion Fellowship is a year-long educational series for select members of CSC designed to provide insights into inclusive issues, values and opportunities for communication professionals in college sports. The program, a partnership between CSC and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, encourages a greater understanding of how those in athletics communications offices at all levels become effective champions for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in college athletics.
"The continued success of the Inclusion Fellowship program reaffirms our commitment to fostering diversity in college athletics," said
Amy Privette Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. "It's gratifying to see how our 'Achieving Racial Equity in College Sports' report has inspired tangible action. The College Sports Communicators Fellowship program exemplifies the kind of initiative we envisioned - one that actively shapes a more inclusive future for the industry. The growth and impact of this program over the past four years have been truly remarkable to observe."
In the first three years of the Fellowship, 50 CSC members have participated in this transformative program that is an industry leader in fostering DEIB educational opportunities.
CSC Inclusion Fellowship Class of 2024-25
Gene Cassell, Washburn University (NCAA Division II)
Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Tia Day, Bates College / NESCAC (NCAA Division III)
Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions
Taiah Gallisath, Illinois Wesleyan University (NCAA Division III)
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Eric Hunt, Pennsylvania College of Technology (NCAA Division III)
Coordinator of Athletic Communications
Linnea Kangas, Northern Illinois University (NCAA Division I)
Assistant Strategic Communications Director
Curran McCauley, Haverford College (NCAA Division III)
Director of Athletic Communications
Bruna Niederkorn, Fontbonne University / American Midwest Conference (NCAA Division III/NAIA)
Director of Athletic Communications / Assistant Commissioner
Adam Okashah, Albany State University (NCAA Division II)
Coordinator of Facilities and Operations
Herman Shelton, University of Colorado (NCAA Division I)
Associate Director, Athletic Communication
Jay Stancil, Appalachian Athletic Conference (NAIA)
Assistant Commissioner for Championships and Information
Michael Vesci, Post University (NCAA Division II)
Director of Athletic Communications
Ali Wilson, American Rivers Conference (NCAA Division III)
Assistant Commissioner
For more information regarding the program, please contact
Beau White, CSC Director of Communications and Brand Strategy at
beau@cscommunicators.com.
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 4,400 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.
About the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics
The Knight Commission, founded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 1989, is an independent group that leads transformational change to prioritize college athletes’ education, health, safety, and success. Knight Foundation has been its sole funder to ensure its independence. For more information about the Commission’s impact, recommendations, and reports, visit
knightcommission.org.