KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 17, 2020) - The MIAA has appointed its members for its recently created Community Culture Task Force. The group consists of five athletic administrators, four student-athletes, two faculty members, and two coaches. “I am proud and excited to help lead the MIAA Community Culture Task Force. The MIAA has set the standard in Division II and has consistently brought its “A Game” to every initiative it has undertaken,” stated Britt Lauritsen, Community Culture Task Force Chairperson, and Washburn Assistant Athletic Director. “Especially now, it is incredibly important to continue to meet and exceed the “A Game” standard as we navigate opportunities to grow and evolve in our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. From the conference office to campus administrators to all of our student-athletes, it is time for all of us to work to effect a positive change in this area.” The Task Force will serve as an advisory group to the conference office, focused on the goals in the MIAA strategic plan which will look to achieve ways to celebrate diversity and identify resources for member institutions to enhance diversity and inclusion in intercollegiate athletics while identifying strategies to create first-class, family-friendly events that reflect the values of the Association. The MIAA Strategic Plan highlights that the Association wants to assert the value of equitable participation and treatment of men and women in intercollegiate athletics through its structure, programs, legislation, and policies with members striving to conduct events within a respectful, welcoming, and family-friendly environment. Task Force members were selected through a nomination process to the conference office. Below is a complete list of members for the Task Force.MIAA Community Culture Task Force MembersBritt Lauritsen, Washburn, Assistant Athletics Director/SWA (Chairperson)Kristy Bayer, Emporia State, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWAKurtis Brondyke, Central Missouri, Assistant Track &amp; Field CoachKaresa Burr, Missouri Southern, Director of Internal Operations/SWATrinity Conley, Newman Women’s Volleyball Student-AthleteAbigail Fern, Pittsburg State, Chief Marketing and Communication OfficerDr. Yelando Johnson, Newman, BSW Program DirectorKeena Lynch, Lincoln, Assistant Athletics Director for Creative ContentAmel Muhamedagic, Central Oklahoma, Assistant Women’s Soccer CoachKiersten Orton, Northwest Missouri, Assistant Athletics DirectorMackenzie Puckett, Nebraska-Kearney, Track &amp; Field Student-AthleteBria Salazar, Rogers State, Women’s Soccer Student-AthleteAlejandro Ultreras, Newman, Cross Country Student-Athlete --- MIAA Release ---

MIAA appoints Community Culture Task Force