Western Michigan University Athletics

As the Administrative and Diversity Intern and a student-athlete, Tess served as the WMU Diversity Task Force Student Leader from August 2020 - April 2022. This involved her actively organizing, managing, and leading monthly meetings and activities to facilitate change in the university and local community related to topics such as equality, voting, LGBTQ, BLM, and police concerns. With the efforts from other student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, they successfully planned and marketed events and projects within the WMU community and the Greater Kalamazoo Area. As a result of their consistent and effective efforts, the Diversity Task Force was honored with the WMU 2022 Excellence in Diversity Award.

Under the direction of former Bronco Production Director Anthony DiCarlo, Tess managed special lighting, sideboards, and scoreboards for the 2022 Men's and Women's home basketball season.

Part of her academic and diversity internship was participating in monthly Mid-American Conference meetings with peers in the same position led by Kristin Williams, current MAC Sr. Assoc. Commissioner for Institutional Services/SWA. Administrators from different institutions would discuss their professional careers and give us advice and direction each month. Additionally, in February 2022, we went to Cleveland, OH, with other administrators, SAAC members, and MAC administrators for the #TakingMACtion summit, which revolved around the theme of identity. Throughout the year, Kristin regularly contacted our Univesity to ensure our DEI goals aligned with the MAC's. Tess' job was to ensure all DEI efforts, including the WMU Diversity Task Force, were properly executed and met all expectations of the Mid-American Conference and the University at large.