DENVER – MSU Denver women's basketball coach Tanya Haave was recently awarded the 2021 Inclusive Higher Education Certificate Program's Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award.
 
Haave was recognized for her work with two IHECP students, Travis Younger and Chaz Moss, who served as student-managers for the basketball program and recently graduated from the program.
 
While the students loved their experience, a highlight described by presenter Cathi Allen, the executive director of the IHECP, came when the entire MSU Denver women's basketball team and coaching staff went to the Special Olympics regional basketball tournament to support Travis and Chaz as they played their games.
 
"It was the talk of the tournament," Allen said. "That modeled inclusion. You demonstrated to your team and to our students that inclusion flows through MSU Denver."
 
Haave said she and her team got as much from the experience as the students did.
 
"I'm very humbled to accept this award on behalf of all the members of our basketball team and our staff," Haave said. "They were so instrumental in opening their arms for Travis and Chaz. We loved seeing them every day. And every day when they came to the gym for practice, they brought a smile to my face, no matter what else was going on.
 
"They definitely made our program a better place to be."
 
The IHECP's Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award is given to an individual who actively leads the program and the Auraria Campus in inclusion. This person contributes to ongoing and furthered commitment to diversity and inclusive higher education. This person also works tirelessly to improve opportunities for the diverse learners served on the Auraria Campus. 


The award requires that the recipient: 

• Engages in frequent and positive communication with persons of different abilities and backgrounds, with the goal of furthering inclusion. 
• Increases and values diversity, using a number of means and initiatives to do so. 
• Promotes an environment free of bias and discrimination, while also encouraging others to take those principles with them wherever they go. 
• Promotes diversity, respect, and inclusiveness through academic or community supports.