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Austin, Staggers Named 2024 ACC UNITE Award Recipients
10/16/2024 4:31:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse, Athletics
CHARLOTTE – The Atlantic Coast Conference has announced the recipients of the fourth annual 2024 ACC UNITE Award, which was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice.
The UNITE Award is an initiative of the ACC's Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE - Champions of Racial Equity) and was developed and approved by its 18 member institutions. Deputy Director of Athletics/Development Troy Austin and former Duke women's lacrosse player Michelle Staggers were named Duke's recipients.
Austin has been a pivotal leader in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within Duke Athletics. He played a key role in developing the department's DEIB Strategic Plan, launched in June 2020 in response to President Vincent Price's call for transformative action.
Under Austin's leadership, the plan focused on embracing diversity, expanding it through hiring, retention, and education and strengthening the sense of belonging within the Duke Athletics community. By creating focus groups and surveys, he ensured that student-athletes' and staff voices were central to the plan's formation.
A former defensive lineman and team captain for Duke from 1997-00, Austin's efforts have driven meaningful, lasting change in the athletic department's organizational structures and practices.
Staggers has been a passionate advocate for Black student-athletes, spearheading efforts to elevate their voices and create spaces of belonging at Duke.
In 2018, as a junior, she co-founded United Black Athletes (UBA) to provide a vital space for Duke's Black athletes. She later participated in a conversation titled "The History of Black Student-Athletes and Activism at Duke," alongside Claudius "C.B." Claiborne, Duke's first Black student-athlete, where she discussed her experiences as a student-athlete activist and drew parallels to Claiborne's involvement in the 1969 Allen Building sit-in.
Her thesis on the history of Black male athletes at Duke earned the Winfred Quinton Holton Prize for Educational Research. Michelle's efforts have helped pave the way for future Black athletes, solidifying her role as a key figure in fostering inclusivity in Duke Athletics.
The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:
"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."
2024 UNITE Award Recipients
Boston College: Blake Bolden & Justin Simmons
California: Marshawn Lynch & Charmin Smith
Clemson: Mary Kennerty & Marion Reeves
Duke: Troy Austin & Michelle Staggers
Florida State: Tiffani Brown & Terance Mann
Georgia Tech: Grover Hinsdale & Dr. Shaday Word-Daniels
Louisville: Angel McCoughtry & Judge Derwin L. Webb
Miami: Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins & Shirelle Jackson
North Carolina: Martina Ballen & Brianna Pinto
NC State: Chester Grant & Ronnie Laughlin
Notre Dame: Dorene Dominguez & Art Velasquez Jr.
Pitt: Leah Friedman & Darelle Porter
SMU: Pastor Richie Butler & Charlene Edwards
Stanford: Nya Harrison
Syracuse: Greg Allen & Sydnie Moore
Virginia: Elijah Gaines & Dr. Carla Williams
Virginia Tech: Aaron Rouse & Aisha Sheppard
Wake Forest: Dianne Dailey & Bill Hayes
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
The UNITE Award is an initiative of the ACC's Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE - Champions of Racial Equity) and was developed and approved by its 18 member institutions. Deputy Director of Athletics/Development Troy Austin and former Duke women's lacrosse player Michelle Staggers were named Duke's recipients.
Austin has been a pivotal leader in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within Duke Athletics. He played a key role in developing the department's DEIB Strategic Plan, launched in June 2020 in response to President Vincent Price's call for transformative action.
Under Austin's leadership, the plan focused on embracing diversity, expanding it through hiring, retention, and education and strengthening the sense of belonging within the Duke Athletics community. By creating focus groups and surveys, he ensured that student-athletes' and staff voices were central to the plan's formation.
A former defensive lineman and team captain for Duke from 1997-00, Austin's efforts have driven meaningful, lasting change in the athletic department's organizational structures and practices.
Staggers has been a passionate advocate for Black student-athletes, spearheading efforts to elevate their voices and create spaces of belonging at Duke.
In 2018, as a junior, she co-founded United Black Athletes (UBA) to provide a vital space for Duke's Black athletes. She later participated in a conversation titled "The History of Black Student-Athletes and Activism at Duke," alongside Claudius "C.B." Claiborne, Duke's first Black student-athlete, where she discussed her experiences as a student-athlete activist and drew parallels to Claiborne's involvement in the 1969 Allen Building sit-in.
Her thesis on the history of Black male athletes at Duke earned the Winfred Quinton Holton Prize for Educational Research. Michelle's efforts have helped pave the way for future Black athletes, solidifying her role as a key figure in fostering inclusivity in Duke Athletics.
The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:
- Best exemplify ACC UNITE's mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
- Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes.
- Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community.
"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."
2024 UNITE Award Recipients
Boston College: Blake Bolden & Justin Simmons
California: Marshawn Lynch & Charmin Smith
Clemson: Mary Kennerty & Marion Reeves
Duke: Troy Austin & Michelle Staggers
Florida State: Tiffani Brown & Terance Mann
Georgia Tech: Grover Hinsdale & Dr. Shaday Word-Daniels
Louisville: Angel McCoughtry & Judge Derwin L. Webb
Miami: Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins & Shirelle Jackson
North Carolina: Martina Ballen & Brianna Pinto
NC State: Chester Grant & Ronnie Laughlin
Notre Dame: Dorene Dominguez & Art Velasquez Jr.
Pitt: Leah Friedman & Darelle Porter
SMU: Pastor Richie Butler & Charlene Edwards
Stanford: Nya Harrison
Syracuse: Greg Allen & Sydnie Moore
Virginia: Elijah Gaines & Dr. Carla Williams
Virginia Tech: Aaron Rouse & Aisha Sheppard
Wake Forest: Dianne Dailey & Bill Hayes
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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