One of ETSU’s homegrown administrators is making a serious splash, both on campus and within the local community.

Calvin Claggett, already known as the associate director of external operations within ETSU’s athletics department, is adding on to his list of various responsibilities. Claggett has been tagged as the athletic department’s first-ever head of diversity, equity and inclusion by ETSU President Brian Noland.

(Contributed/ ETSU)

“I’m extremely excited to announce that Calvin Claggett… has been promoted within the athletic department,” Noland said in a statement. “Across the institution he’ll serve as special assistant to the vice president for equity and inclusion… I can’t think of a more perfect person to do this job than Calvin… He’s poised, positioned and ready.”

Claggett, while excited for the opportunity, asserted that service toward ETSU and the surrounding community remains the priority.

“It’s quite an honor … my first reaction was, wow, I’m able to continue to serve,” said Claggett. “It’s never about me, there’s a bigger reason and a higher calling to it all.”

A natural visionary, Claggett emphasized the need for recruiting more faculty, administrators, staff and students of diverse backgrounds.

“Diversity and inclusion promotes progression,” Claggett explained. “You have so many people who can bring ideas and perspective to the table. … We’ve got to move forward.”

“If we say we want to recruit minority students to come here, we want them to feel safe here,” Claggett continued. “We want them to be prosperous in all their efforts, but there aren’t many faculty, staff or administrators in proportion to the majority that look like them. That’s why you get minority students who transfer.”

Claggett received his undergraduate degree from ETSU, as well as his master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis with a concentration in student personnel. 

“I believe that the future is bright here at ETSU,” Claggett said. “I believe that the athletic department’s future is very bright. I’m thankful for Scott Carter, the athletic director, and I’m just ready to get to work.”

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