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Merkerson Joins Athletics Senior Staff
09/06/22 | General
Da'Mon Merkerson has joined the UO athletics department as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.
The UO athletic department's ongoing efforts to promote a diverse, inclusive environment for student-athletes, staff and the university community at large are getting an exciting new leader.
The newest senior staff position in the Oregon athletic department is the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. As of this week, former NCAA football student-athlete and Power 5 conference athletics administrator Da'Mon Merkerson is on staff to lead those efforts for the Ducks.
Merkerson comes to Eugene with his wife, Katherine, after working most recently as Associate AD for Academic & Student Success at UMass-Amhert, where he also served as the department's Diversity & Inclusion Designee. He previously worked as an administrator at Boston College and Temple, after wrapping up a professional football career following four seasons playing at Syracuse.
Merkerson will lead DEI initiatives for Oregon athletics while also continuing work toward his Ph.D. in higher and postsecondary education.
"As a college athlete, I learned so much about how you can influence and inspire people, as well as contribute to the overall growth of not just the college community but your surrounding community," Merkerson said. "This athletic department and institution have always been on my radar as a place that's committed to this type of work."
Merkerson will look to build on work previously done in the UO athletic department, through initiatives such as BEOREGON and the athletic department's Community and Inclusion Committee. In 2020, the department received the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association's Award for Diversity and Inclusion.
"There are places that are trying to do some work now, but it's more reactive," Merkerson said. "I don't think that's what this is. We've done a lot of work. Now we want to take the next step."
The newly created position will collaborate with current staff and student-athletes to enhance strategies and programming that demonstrate Oregon's commitment to a diverse, inclusive environment. The position will report directly to UO director of athletics Rob Mullens.
"We are thrilled to add Da'Mon to our staff and continue to grow in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion," Mullens said. "Da'Mon has a proven track record as an advocate for a positive student-athlete experience for people of all backgrounds, and a commitment to the mission of higher education both for himself personally and for future leaders."
Merkerson, a 2011 graduate of Syracuse, began working in athletics administration at Temple in 2014. Hired to provide academic support to student-athletes, he also contributed to DEI efforts including educational programming and mentorships.
While at Boston College from 2019-21, he worked in student-athlete academic services and again contributed to DEI endeavors, chairing the department's Committee for Education & Support. In Amherst over the past year, Merkerson again sat as a committee chair to lead DEI efforts.
"This work has been a focus throughout my career, even when it wasn't designated as a primary duty," Merkerson said.
At Oregon, Merkerson said his first order of business will be getting to know student-athletes and staff, and familiarizing himself with current programming and initiatives focused on DEI. He's excited to collaborate with the Pac-12's new Chief People & Inclusion Officer, Quashan Lockett, and with the University of Oregon's campus division of equity and inclusion, led by Vice President for Equity & Inclusion Dr. Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh.
"That's crucial to creating a truly foundational and systemic program," Merkerson said, "If you're doing this work right, it will integrate into every aspect of campus."
Merkerson wants to enhance connections between the athletic department and the various educational units throughout the university, and with student groups devoted to the broad spectrum of racial, gender and sexual identities.
"As a former student-athlete and Black male, I'm very aware of my privileges and identities," Merkerson said. "I'm really going to attack this work to be an advocate for all people, all students, of all races, genders, nationalities that exist within our units and our overall university. I plan to work collaboratively with any and all campus partners."
The newest senior staff position in the Oregon athletic department is the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. As of this week, former NCAA football student-athlete and Power 5 conference athletics administrator Da'Mon Merkerson is on staff to lead those efforts for the Ducks.
Merkerson comes to Eugene with his wife, Katherine, after working most recently as Associate AD for Academic & Student Success at UMass-Amhert, where he also served as the department's Diversity & Inclusion Designee. He previously worked as an administrator at Boston College and Temple, after wrapping up a professional football career following four seasons playing at Syracuse.
Merkerson will lead DEI initiatives for Oregon athletics while also continuing work toward his Ph.D. in higher and postsecondary education.
"As a college athlete, I learned so much about how you can influence and inspire people, as well as contribute to the overall growth of not just the college community but your surrounding community," Merkerson said. "This athletic department and institution have always been on my radar as a place that's committed to this type of work."
Merkerson will look to build on work previously done in the UO athletic department, through initiatives such as BEOREGON and the athletic department's Community and Inclusion Committee. In 2020, the department received the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association's Award for Diversity and Inclusion.
"There are places that are trying to do some work now, but it's more reactive," Merkerson said. "I don't think that's what this is. We've done a lot of work. Now we want to take the next step."
The newly created position will collaborate with current staff and student-athletes to enhance strategies and programming that demonstrate Oregon's commitment to a diverse, inclusive environment. The position will report directly to UO director of athletics Rob Mullens.
"We are thrilled to add Da'Mon to our staff and continue to grow in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion," Mullens said. "Da'Mon has a proven track record as an advocate for a positive student-athlete experience for people of all backgrounds, and a commitment to the mission of higher education both for himself personally and for future leaders."
Merkerson, a 2011 graduate of Syracuse, began working in athletics administration at Temple in 2014. Hired to provide academic support to student-athletes, he also contributed to DEI efforts including educational programming and mentorships.
While at Boston College from 2019-21, he worked in student-athlete academic services and again contributed to DEI endeavors, chairing the department's Committee for Education & Support. In Amherst over the past year, Merkerson again sat as a committee chair to lead DEI efforts.
"This work has been a focus throughout my career, even when it wasn't designated as a primary duty," Merkerson said.
At Oregon, Merkerson said his first order of business will be getting to know student-athletes and staff, and familiarizing himself with current programming and initiatives focused on DEI. He's excited to collaborate with the Pac-12's new Chief People & Inclusion Officer, Quashan Lockett, and with the University of Oregon's campus division of equity and inclusion, led by Vice President for Equity & Inclusion Dr. Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh.
"That's crucial to creating a truly foundational and systemic program," Merkerson said, "If you're doing this work right, it will integrate into every aspect of campus."
Merkerson wants to enhance connections between the athletic department and the various educational units throughout the university, and with student groups devoted to the broad spectrum of racial, gender and sexual identities.
"As a former student-athlete and Black male, I'm very aware of my privileges and identities," Merkerson said. "I'm really going to attack this work to be an advocate for all people, all students, of all races, genders, nationalities that exist within our units and our overall university. I plan to work collaboratively with any and all campus partners."
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