In September of 2020, the Brandeis University Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation unveiled it's three year strategic action plan. The action plan is a broad-ranging set of goals and aspirations focusing on the future of Brandeis Athletics centering around four main strategic priorities. Below is an outline of the accomplishments for each strategic priority made during year two of Brandeis Athletics' strategic plan. To view additional strategic planning information and accomplishments, read the Overview or Year 1 Update.

Click on the right side of each slide below to read more about the department's progress for each of the four strategic priorities, or scroll to the text below the presentation.

If you have any questions about any of the strategic priorities or any action items associated with them, please send us an email at athletics@brandeis.edu.

INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Goal:
The department strives to be a leader on campus and in the community in developing an inclusive community in which all can learn, play, compete and work.

• In conjunction with Athlete Ally and the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC), in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, the department hosted a virtual panel with transgender athletes from across NCAA sports and divisions. This was an opportunity to learn first-hand about the transgender athlete experience and the importance of trans inclusion in Athletics and included nearly 150 attendees.
• The department piloted a LGBTQIA+ student-athlete group, co-facilitated by the GSC and Brandeis Counseling Center.
• The department actively participated in University Athletic Association (UAA)-wide inclusion efforts including involvement in the Mosaic and AAPI affinity groups, and the conference-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee.
• Student-athletes and staff pronouns were added to the department website in August 2021 (opt-in process).
• During the 2022 recruiting cycle, the domestic underrepresented minority student-athlete population was more diverse (1-5%) than the general student population at all milestones of the recruitment process (inquiry, early credential review, application and matriculation).
• The department completed an initial gender equity review, identifying three significant disparities that should be addressed for the university to fully comply with Title IX.

RESOURCES AND FACILITIES

Goal:
The department strives to ensure our resources and facilities provide all students with the ability to maximize their full potential. 

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Goal:
The department strives to complement the educational mission of the university by providing opportunities for students to enrich their current and future lives through sport, fitness and wellness offerings.

• The department hosted its first Junior Preview Day, hosting more than 20 prospective student-athletes and their families for an introduction to Brandeis including campus partner presentations, faculty panel, and admissions presentations and tours.
• The department developed a funding mechanism to support campus visits by socioeconomically challenged or historically underrepresented prospective student-athletes.
• The department updated the 2022-23 HWL course schedule to maintain a set of "core" courses within the new rotation. This change allowed the department to keep a broader variety of courses on the schedule.
• The department partnered with the Department of Community Living (DCL) and student leaders to propose ways to revitalize the fitness areas in each residential community. The proposal will be submitted to the Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund as part of the Fall 2022 cycle.
• The department successfully launched the re-imagined Judges Leadership Academy for student-athletes interested in developing their leadership skills.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT