MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- In direct partnership with the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) and Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs), the NCAA dedicates three days every year to promote diversity and inclusion across the country in all membered institutions' athletic departments at the Division I, II, and III levels. In conjunction with this important week, each organization takes these days to foster campus initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of their student-athletes' lives through a traditional week-long NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Campaign.

Day 1 (October, 27th) of 2020 NCAA Diversity and Inclusion week is "My Story Matters", which explores current college athletes' identities, perspectives, and experiences. One North Central University (NCU) student-athlete on the forefront of these areas is men's tennis captain Judah Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y., Valley Stream South), who has proven to play an instrumental role in fostering diversity and inclusion initiatives across the NCU campus. We managed to get a glimpse of Smith's story, while also gathering his perspective on how the NCU community has been able to excel in promoting diversity and inclusion to-date, and where there is room for continued growth and improvement. 

Smith is a senior Accounting and Finance major at NCU, but has impacted the NCU community in more ways than just in the classroom and being part of the College of Business and Technology (COBAT) program. Throughout his time as a student-athlete at NCU, Smith has been a preliminary example of what it is like to expand his horizons and be involved in a variety of campus organizations related to diversity and inclusion. On top of being nominated as captain of the NCU men's tennis team, Smith has served as both the Executive Director of Multicultural Programming and a student ambassador for the cultural diversity committee, which brings ideas, perspectives, policies, agendas, etc. forward to NCU leadership.

"At North Central, I have seen an increasingly positive amplification of diversity and inclusion as various student organizations and the departments have taken initiative in trying to cater to everyone and be aware of the beauty in the difference. Both diversity and inclusion have been prevalent in class as teachers have made the effort to relate with their students and meet them where they are at. Moreover, since being in student leadership since my freshman year here on campus, I have been part of major changes in keeping our student leaders on campus aware of our changing world, and how diversity and inclusion play a big part in reconciling any wrongs that have been committed."

As well-versed in knowledge as Smith is through being a student leader in these organizations and programs, his experience began when he was born to two missionary parents that took him to over 30 countries around the world growing up. As a result of this, Smith has been able to develop a further understanding of diversity and inclusion from interacting with people from many different walks of life and upbringings. Smith has developed strong relationships with a variety of people around the world, and the foundation of his passion for diversity and inclusion is rooted in bridging the cross-cultural gap by highlighting the beauty that makes everyone different.

"Diversity is so important to me because one must find unity in different circumstances. Many times people forget that diversity and inclusion work together hand-in-hand. The basis of inclusion means so much to me because there is no way you know how your actions could affect someone's day. It is a package deal and should be continually implemented in our everyday life."

As Smith looks ahead to what he aspires to accomplish in his final year as a student-athlete, he believes that NCU can continue growing in the learning curriculum by continuing to provide multiple perspectives in all areas of campus life such as classes, chapels, guest speakers, etc. On the other hand, Smith took time to recognize what the NCU community has done thus far to enact change and continue fostering further initiatives for celebrating diversity and inclusion, while also paying tribute to how tremendously proud he is to be a Ram and student of North Central University.

"Being different is okay. The uniqueness of being created differently is what makes diversity so beautiful. I am grateful to NCU for helping me realize I am passionate about fighting for individuality and inclusion. Diversity includes being aware of the differences around us. Their culture, mannerisms, clothes, and the like should be appreciated for what they are. It is my job, as a student leader, to help cultivate spaces just like that so that people can be seen and heard."

More information on the upcoming days of the NCAA's Diversity and Inclusion Campaign can be found here.