Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas named Associate Athletic Director, DEIB

The California Golden Bears athletic department has found a leader to champion one of their newest, and most important initiatives.

Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas has been officially named the first-ever Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. He comes to Berkeley from the University of Missouri where he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis as well as an affiliate faculty member of the school’s Black Studies Program.

“We are thrilled and fortunate to welcome Dr. Douglas to the Cal Family,” Cal Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. “He brings passion, intelligence, insight and experience to what will be a vital and transformational role in our department. Dr. Douglas’ ability to connect with people and his inspiring vision will have a profound and lasting effect on the culture within Cal Athletics and the greater campus community.”

Douglas is also the founder and executive director of The SALT Center, which seeks to bridge community, corporations and university affiliations.

His many accomplishments prior to Cal brought him to Berkeley and Douglas has said he’s excited to be in a position to lead the future Cal student-athletics.

“The Berkeley platform is positioned to lead the nation and the world on this topic and this issue,” Douglas said. “To have the opportunity to do this work and to specifically do it at Berkeley is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The history of activism and commitment to social justice at Cal, specifically as it relates to the work advocating for Black and Brown people in particular, and also having critical conversations on these issues nationally and internationally – I will be joining a legacy of work that has already been recognized.”

A more full press release has been issued by the Cal Athletics Department — which has great insight into just truly how remarkable Dr. Douglas’ career, to-date, has been.

Welcome to Berkeley, Dr. Douglas! We’re proud and happy to have you!

The full release is here.