BERKELEY – At an institution that has long been a champion of diversity and inclusion, Cal's athletic department has found its leader who will be equal to that task.

The department announced Wednesday the hiring of Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas as its first-ever Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Douglas comes to Berkeley from the University of Missouri, where he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and an affiliate faculty member in the school's Black Studies Program.

"We are thrilled and fortunate to welcome Dr. Douglas to the Cal Family," Cal Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. "He brings passion, intelligence, insight and experience to what will be a vital and transformational role in our department. Dr. Douglas' ability to connect with people and his inspiring vision will have a profound and lasting effect on the culture within Cal Athletics and the greater campus community."

While Douglas is an educator, he is also an activist, public speaker and author. He is the founder and executive director of The Salt City Center, which seeks to bridge community, corporations and university affiliations. Douglas is also the founder and leader of the Annual Back To School Explosion, which brings together a local community basketball program with university, K-12 schools and community partners for impoverished areas of Columbia, Mo.

 

Additionally, Douglas co-developed the Tiger Leadership Institute, a mentorship program for Missouri student-athletes that focuses on identity development, diversity and inclusion.

"The Berkeley platform is positioned to lead the nation and the world on this topic and this issue," Douglas said. "To have the opportunity to do this work and to specifically do it at Berkeley is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The history of activism and commitment to social justice at Cal, specifically as it relates to the work advocating for Black and Brown people in particular, and also having critical conversations on these issues nationally and internationally – I will be joining a legacy of work that has already been recognized."

Douglas grew up in Bermuda before coming to the United States to earn his bachelor's degree in English with a minor in sociology from Oakwood University in Alabama, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Douglas has written or edited five books and over 25 journal articles.

"Dr. Douglas is the perfect fit for this athletic department and this institution," Cal women's basketball coach Charmin Smith said. "During his interview, he mentioned that organizations who are committed to DEIB work are 'organizations who do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right time.' Cal Athletics needs to be at the forefront of doing the right things, for the right reasons, at the right time, and Dr. Douglas will help us get there. His ability to engage with those who have different perspectives, and his knowledge of what it means to truly have an inclusive culture, is evident. I can't wait for Dr. Douglas to get started."

Among the many duties in his role at Cal, Douglas will utilize his experience and knowledge to apply advanced diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging concepts to promote diversity training, while also developing programs to increase hiring and retention and improving staff morale - all with a focus on underrepresented and historically marginalized populations. He is also expected to serve as a liaison to other constituents across campus.

"I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Douglas to Cal to fill a critical leadership position, not only in Intercollegiate Athletics but also the greater campus," Cal Vice Chancellor of Equity & Inclusion Oscar Dubon said. "He will be an exceptional thought partner and co-creator with other campus leaders to the benefit of our extraordinary scholar-athletes. Ty brings a depth of scholarship as well as practice that will enable him to build bridges with academic departments and other areas of the campus in a way that is truly aligned with the bold vision that Athletics has conceived for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging under Jim Knowlton's leadership."

Douglas' hiring is the culmination of a thorough and meticulous national search. He will start at Cal on Jan. 1.

"I believe we are going to do some special things at Cal, and I'm excited to be a part of it," Douglas said. "I want to listen. I want to get a sense of who we are before trying to articulate who we are going to be. In the long term, I believe we are going to be the go-to location as it relates to the wellness and prosperity of our student-athletes – in particular, our Black and Brown student-athletes. I believe we are going to be the national and international leader in that regard."