Western Michigan University Athletics is proud to announce that Julian Jones, Senior Associate AD, Broncos Empowered and Championship Culture, has been awarded the 1-MAC Administrator of the Year Award in his first year with the Broncos. The 1-MAC award is presented to those that have shown tremendous impact & excellence in inclusion efforts.
 
"In one short year, Julian has had a significant impact on our student-athletes and our efforts to develop a championship culture.  His work in starting the Broncos emPOWERed program and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within our department have been key pride points for our department this year," said Director of Athletics, Dan Bartholomae.   "He has also served as a collaborative partner in advancing the work of the student-athlete led Diversity Task Force, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations.  It is exciting to celebrate this well-deserved recognition for Julian."
The Broncos emPOWERed program set a new standard for student-athlete development and community engagement within the Mid-American Conference (MAC). This innovative program is the first of its kind in the MAC and focuses on three primary areas of empowerment:

1. Empowering Student-Athlete Holistic Development: Broncos emPOWERed is dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of student-athletes, ensuring their growth not only on the field but also as well-rounded individuals.
2. Empowering Alums and Community: The program emphasizes the importance of building strong connections between student-athletes and their alumni and local communities, fostering a sense of belonging and giving back.
3. Empowering Coaches and Staff: Broncos emPOWERed extends its commitment to developing the coaches and staff who play an integral role in shaping the student-athlete experience.

Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, the Broncos emPOWERed program offered a diverse range of monthly programming, including career development workshops, financial literacy seminars, mental health support, and networking opportunities.
Some of the program's notable accomplishments in the past year include:

• Partnering with the WMU Career Center and the Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance (MCEEA) to host a career fair, connecting over 30 employers with 188 Bronco student-athletes, preparing them for their post-WMU careers.
• Bronco Student-Athletes placed 1^st in the MAC and 10^th overall in Division 1 in total community service hours (as measured by the Helper Helper App), totaling 3,262 for the academic year. Additionally, seven teams placed in the top 10 in their sports.
• Supporting student-athletes and staff in attending various events, including the Creating Change Summit and the Black Student-Athlete Summit. The program also welcomed nationally acclaimed speaker, podcaster, and journalist Jemele Hill as part of its annual MLK Celebration.
• Partnering with Project Destined to provide annual summer internships to Black and International student-athletes, with six Broncos accepted into the program.

In addition to programming responsibilities, Jones also provided leadership for the student-athlete led Diversity Task Force which planned monthly department-wide lunch and learns, hosted notable guest speakers, and promoted active student-athlete engagement both on-campus and in the community. Additionally, he has ensured a member of the Diversity Taskforce has been a part of every hiring process from Coaches to Senior Administrators to ensure diversity, inclusion, and belonging are top of mind when hiring members of the team.

In addition to his direct programming responsibilities, Julian also spearheaded the development of Strategic Goal #4 Broncos United, the diversity and inclusion goal for the Department of Athletics Strategic plan. He is also responsible for monitoring and documenting the progress made on each goal objective based upon the strategies developed. This past academic year alone, Julian was able to ensure the implementation of at least one strategy per objective.
Jones, along with the dedicated Broncos emPOWERed staff, demonstrated exceptional commitment and innovation in advancing student-athlete development and community engagement at Western Michigan University. This 1-MAC Award is a testament to their unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements.

"I am so honored to receive the 1-MAC Administrator of the Year award. My goal is to make an impact wherever I go, and I am thankful that in my first year at Western Michigan University, my colleagues in the MAC noticed the impact Broncos EmPOWERed made," said Jones. "I also want to acknowledge the DEI Task Force, my staff, student-athletes, and our Athletic Director for believing in me to make sure we build an inclusive championship culture."
Western Michigan University Athletics is excited to continue building upon the success of the Broncos emPOWERed program, further enriching the lives of student-athletes and strengthening connections with the community.
 
About the MAC Inclusion Program:
In November of 2016, the MAC announced one of the most comprehensive Inclusion Programs in Division I intercollegiate athletics to begin during the 2017-18 academic year.
 
The MAC Inclusion Program has positioned the MAC as a leader within collegiate athletics. This Program has evolved and developed through the years to provide education and training opportunities, leadership development and advancement opportunities for coaches, administrators and student-athletes.
 
The MAC is dedicated to the student-athlete experience and well-being is a top priority.  To continue to promote and strengthen the student-athletes within the MAC, the Conference Office will continue its efforts in inclusion in order to provide better support to our young adults.