MORROW, Ga. – In what is a first for Clayton State Athletics, NCAA Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources Katrice A. Albert spent the day on the University's picturesque campus visiting with members of the Athletics staff and student-athletes as well as President Dr. Tim Hynes and his senior staff on Wednesday, April 24.
 
Albert, who has been in her fairly new position with the NCAA for 18 months, leads the wide-ranging institution's efforts to enhance diversity, inclusion, leadership development and community engagement so that each of the more than 500,000 student-athletes across the country might have equitable experiences in the classroom and in competition.
 
A veteran of higher education for the past 15 years in the University System of Minnesota (2013-17) and Louisiana State University (2005-13), she is also responsible for leading national office employee relations, performance management, professional development and compensation and benefits programs in her current role at the national office.
 
"It was truly an honor to meet and host Dr. Katrice Albert on our campus today," said Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher. "We certainly appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to visit with our student-athletes and staff. It was refreshing to hear her thoughts on the student-athlete experience and NCAA membership best practices."
 
After meeting with Erlacher to begin her visit, Albert had an hour-long conversation with the majority of the Lakers' staff. During that time she shared the NCAA's six strategic priorities.
 
Those included Inclusive Excellence, Building a High Performing Team, Operational Excellence, Future Proofing The Industry, Liberated External Engagement and a National Voice of Work. Full details on these goals are available in the video featuring Dr. Albert.
 
Following that meeting with Clayton State's staff, she met with those individuals that are the reason the staff is here in the first place – Laker student-athletes. Held over lunch, approximately 25 current student-athletes and campus student leaders were able to not only benefit from Albert sharing her wisdom but were also able to ask questions and present potential areas for improvement.
 
Among the things that she impressed upon them were being student leaders and how employers look for student-athletes when hiring, in large part due to the fact they are already accustomed to a rigorous schedule and time management.
 
The student-athletes, led by men's basketball junior Christoff Nairn (West Palm Beach, Fla.), shared the possibility of having regular "mental health" games in much the same way that many schools have had cancer awareness games.
 
With a large number of international student-athletes making up the Lakers' student body, the issue of being able to stay in the United States following graduation was also raised by women's soccer junior Janne Brouer (Aarhus, Denmark).
 
Individuals from outside the country must have an employer pay for their visa during their OPT year. Many would like to be able to repay what the country has invested in them by staying and building a career but often find it difficult with employers having that additional cost for their services.
 
"To have someone of Dr. Albert's caliber make the time to not only speak to our student-athletes and campus leaders, but also listen to what they have to say is invaluable," said Merlene Aitken-Smith, Senior Associate Athletic Director. "This is someone who has been on both the academic and athletic side of things at high profile organizations and has the ability to effect change nationally with the NCAA. For our student leaders to get the chance to interact with her in that way, that's very powerful."
 
Following her time with Laker student-athletes, Albert met with Dr. Hynes and his cabinet before taking time for a tour of the beautiful campus that is Clayton State.
 
"It was such a delight to visit Clayton State," said Albert. "Our student-athletes are remarkable in so many ways. It is incumbent upon us who coach, teach and lead them to commit to bold, visionary leadership around equity and diversity and model the way of inclusive excellence.  They are our greatest assets and we have a responsibility to grow them as global leaders in healthy, safe and affirming environments."
 
"The Division II philosophy is such that the holistic developmental approach matters. I am very encouraged each time I visit our campuses to learn about all of the magnificent work being done! Go Lakers!"

Katrice A. Albert, NCAA Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources (4/24/19)