AUBURN, Ala. – Monique Holland, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete experience, will represent Auburn Athletics on the LEAD1 Association's working group to examine diversity, equity and inclusion issues.
Holland will serve on a subcommittee focused on hiring, retention and advancement. Other subcommittees are charged with creating actionable recommendations related to training, education and mentorship, along with strategic, political and cultural initiatives.
"It's critical to represent the diverse population we serve in intercollegiate athletics," said Holland, Auburn's senior woman administrator. "I look forward to helping shape strategies that encourage and challenge hiring managers to be creative in identifying talent to provide opportunities to historically underrepresented groups."
The subcommittee's mission will include identifying barriers and potential areas of bias related to selecting ethnic minorities and creating systems where people of color can better understand and prepare themselves with the requisite skills needed to get hired and advance.
"Monique will bring innovation, creativity and diligence to this vital LEAD1 working group," Director of Athletics Allen Greene said. "In this pivotal moment, it's inspiring to see passionate leaders collaborate for the benefit of all."
LEAD1 represents the athletics directors of the 130-member universities of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
"LEAD1 impacts our entire industry," Holland said. "I'm humbled by this incredible opportunity to serve and represent Auburn. This working group will influence our entire association and intercollegiate athletics to foster more representation at all levels."
The working group will explore initiatives to strengthen senior leadership pipelines, expand professional development opportunities, influence legislation that supports underrepresented populations and recommend strategies of accountability.
"This is a very noble and important cause," said Tom McMillen, President and CEO of LEAD1. "We [at LEAD1] have had tremendous success with other working groups on key issues in college sports; it is amazing what can be addressed when people come together in such collaborative ways."
The working group will aim to finalize its recommendations by the end of the year, with an eye toward shaping potential NCAA legislation. LEAD1 seeks to influence how the rules of college sports are enacted and implemented, advocating for the future of college athletics while providing services to member schools.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer