WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Head softball coach Christine Steines has been appointed to a newly created position to promote diversity and inclusion within the athletic department, announced Athletic Director Dick Reynolds.

“In concert with the NCAA’s efforts toward promoting inclusion throughout its membership, we felt it was important to appoint someone on our staff to develop and administer a program that insures the values of diversity, inclusion and gender equity among student-athletes, coaches and administrators,” Reynolds said.

“Otterbein has a long history of promoting diversity and inclusion,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Bob Gatti, who oversees the department of athletics. “The appointment of Christine Steines to lead this effort is part of our continuing commitment.  I look forward to working with Christine as she helps the athletic department with policies, strategies and programs to break down barriers not only with athletics, but with the entire University community.

In preparation for her new assignment, Steines attended the first NCAA Inclusion Summit held last fall in Indianapolis.

The NCAA not only values diversity but, most importantly, promotes an inclusive environment, according to Steines.

“Inclusion means so much more,” Steines said. “Inclusion involves everyone, everyone is diverse is some way.”

In addition to attending the summit, Steines brought nationally-known diversity consultant Dr. Jenny Lind Withycombe to campus for two days last semester to meet with coaches, student-athletes, and administrators. Steines has also helped to revise the department’s guidelines, policies and mission statement to promote inclusion; and serves as the athletic department’s representative to the University’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

“What we are trying to do,” Steines said, “is to make our athletes feel comfortable no matter who they are, what they are, or what they represent; that they don’t feel left out.”