ATLANTA, Ga. – Junior women's soccer student-athlete Dylan Patterson and Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Trent Kull represented Winthrop University at the eighth-annual NCAA Inclusion Forum, held in Atlanta, Ga at the CNN Center at the Omni Atlanta Apr. 28-29. 

More than 600 student-athletes, faculty and college administrators across the country convened to discuss ways they can transform their institutions into places that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. 
 

The gathering was designed to provide useful knowledge, engaging dialogue and practical takeaways to empower participants' efforts on their campuses and across conferences. Sessions focused on core identities such as race/ethnicity, women/gender equity, LGBTQ, disability sport, and international students.
 
"The forum was well-organized, interesting and educational," said Kull, who is a math professor at Winthrop as well as faculty athletics representative role. "Dylan and I had the opportunity to discuss important issues with a diverse group, including university presidents, athletic directors, faculty, coaches, Title IX coordinators, student-athletes and more. We learned a tremendous amount in a short period, and hope to use some of the knowledge gained to help improve the Winthrop experience for all student-athletes."
 
"Inclusion means that no matter who they are, a person can walk into the room and know that they're going to feel welcome and wanted," added Patterson, who will be a senior next season and serve as secretary of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "I had a wonderful time at the forum learning from a diverse group of people who are dedicated to making college athletics a place for everyone. I'm hopeful for the future of college athletics, and excited to bring what I learned back to Winthrop." 
 
For more information on the NCAA Office of Inclusion, visit http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/inclusion.