NNU Athletics has announced the creation of a Nighthawks Diversity Task Force (NDTF). The NDTF is committed to helping NNU live into its core value of Community.
 
"It is obvious the Gospel wants to draw us together, not divide us. The NNU community is made up of wonderful people who I am confident want to continue to build relationships and bridge the gap where there has been a lack of equity." Director of Athletics, Kelli Lindley, said, "There have been incredible people at NNU who have lived out unselfish concern for others over the years, but there is still work to be done as we advocate for positive social change that fosters more equity and unity."
 
Assistant Track & Field Coach and Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Designee Ozie Duncan has been appointed chair of the NDTF. The task force will be working with the Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC) to promote understanding and education within the NNU community. In the coming weeks, the task force will be hosting "crucial conversations" between student-athletes and various members of the campus and community.
 
"The crucial conversations are an effort to promote dialogue that will educate, uplift and equip our students to be transformational agents in our local community and in their home neighborhoods," Coach Duncan said. "In order to do so, we must all listen, learn and work together for the changes we hope will come."
 
In addition to Duncan and Lindley, the task force includes NNU's Faculty Athletics Representative to the SAAC Pete Crabb, NNU men's basketball alum Jeff Kinneeveauk and current Head Men's Basketball Coach Paul Rush.
 
The NDTF is one of the ways NNU is seeking to actively and intentionally engage in issues of diversity across campus.
 
According to Dr. Joanne Solis-Walker, Special Assistant to the President on Diversity, "NNU is a Christ-centered institution that values racial, cultural and ethnic diversity as an essential dimension of what it means to be human. We strive to be a culturally responsive educational community that is welcoming and supportive of ALL students regardless of race, color or gender. Despite NNU's long-standing pursuit to celebrate and encourage cultural diversity, we are committed to finding new and better ways to continue to be a place that promotes and supports equity and unity throughout our community."
 
More details about additional diversity and inclusion efforts will be communicated soon.