Center for Sport, peace, and Society Annual Report 2021

LETTER FROM

THE DIRECTOR

Throughout the pages of our Annual Report, you'll discover several examples of how we breathed life into previously slumbering visions for growing our impact on the world.

Dear Friends,

These sleeping dreams are no more.

All year long we've been saying it, "Social change is a team sport," and as I reflect on another year of impacting the world through the power of sport and education, I could not be prouder of our tiny but mighty team and the global partners we have the privilege of working alongside every day in pursuit of a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world!

Awakened by our team's intellectual and emotional energies, new realities

When we started 2021, we envisioned a much more "normal" year than was 2020. Little did we know how "not normal" another year would be. As days quickly turned into weeks and then months, our team got busy turning opportunities into longawaited realities.

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Social change is a team sport, and we are so very grateful for the growing number of global teammates we have the privilege of working alongside every day. stand shoulder to shoulder with former dreams now measurably making their mark on the hearts of all 450,000+ people from 90 countries directly impacted by the work of the Center for Sport, Peace & Society since 2012.

CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIC VISION GLOBAL FOOTPRINT CHANGEMAKER SPOTLIGHT FINANCES MEET THE TEAM

These new realities include: A book to be released in June 2022 celebrating the global effect of Title IX's 50th anniversary and the 10-year anniversary of the CSPS. A multi-media storytelling project to be unveiled in June 2022 consolidating global research and the stories of pioneers fighting for gender equality in and through sports around the world.

A new digital library of educational resources empowering alumni of our U.S. Department of State Global Sports Mentoring Programs (GSMP-U, Office Hours, Virtual Mentorship, etc.) with new tools, resources, and networks.

A podcast titled, Strong Women. Better World. providing listeners an opportunity to travel the world and learn about the state of women's sports and the sociocultural factors that shape women's and girls' experiences globally.

And much more....

When I reflect on all that we've accomplished over the past 12 months, I'm reminded of Pat Summitt's words, "You win in life with people."

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"You win in life with people."

- Pat Summitt I couldn't agree more, and I am so thankful for the people I get space to "do life" with: Dr. C, Mo, Carly, Rainey, Jonah, Jaron and in 2021, we welcomed Dr. Lindsay, Dr. Stacey, and Dr. J-9 (Janine) to the team as writers and researchers.

I'm the lucky one to be surrounded with the smartest, kindest, hardest working teamies, ever.

Thank you for trusting me and making me better every. single. day.

To our board of advisors, partners, and friends, thank you for your encouragement.

Without you, 2021 dreams would still be asleep. Instead, they are alive and well ready to make way for 2022 aspirations and eager to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world for all!

High-Fives,

Sarah J. Hillyer, PhD Founder and Director Center for Sport, Peace, and Society University of Tennessee P.S. Always remember, "Social change is a team sport!"

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2 0 2 1 H I G H L I G H T S

GRANT FUND IN

In June, we launched a professional development series titled GSMP-University. GSMP-U was designed to meet the educational needs of CSPS alumni. To date, 40 alumni from 35 countries have completed at least one course.

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MILLION 14 $ :

With confirmation of grant funding through 2024, CSPS has now been awarded nearly $14 million to leverage sport, education, media, and entrepreneurship as tools to empower underserved populations worldwide.

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In October, we hosted the first fully-virtual U.S. Department of State & espnW GSMP and welcomed 14 new delegates from 14 different countries. Twelve mentor organizations also participated in the empowerment program.

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PEOPLE IMPACTED

With funding from the U.S. Department of State, we distributed $185,000 to 27 alumni in 14 countries. Funding supported projects designed to protect and promote human rights and mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

" Connecting with women from around the world who are also fighting for gender equity was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you, CSPS, for this opportunity!"

KRUTHIKA NANDAGUDI SRINIVASA 2021 CSPS DELEGATE FROM INDIA

ALINE SILVA BRAZIL CSPS ALUMNA, 2017 Meet Aline Silva. Olympic wrestler and founder of Mempodera – a wrestling academy dedicated to teaching life skills development and English language learning for underserved youth.

As part of an ongoing partnership between CSPS and the Department of Modern Languages, UT students continue to mentor Mempodera athletes studying English as a second language. In turn, Mempodera athletes are helping UT students learn Portuguese.

This educational and cultural exchange is just one example of how CSPS reaches across campus to create interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance student learning and in turn, impact the world.

To learn more about Aline’s fight for gender equality you can listen to her episode of the Strong Women.

Better World. Podcast. or you can read her story in our forthcoming book titled, Strong Women. Better World: Title IX Global Effect.

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To build a global team of partners working to provide innovative sportbased and educational solutions to solve some of the world's most pressing social challenges.

SOCIAL CHANGE IS A TEAM SPORT Uniquely-situated at a Research I institution, the CSPS is a social enterprise committed to creating a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world through sport-based innovation and education.

We offer global leaders the tools needed to make a positive difference in their communities—from grassroots levels to governance—and help spark social progress, locally and abroad, through leadership programs, international outreach, storytelling projects, and scholarly research, all in pursuit of global solidarity.

Through our unique, intersectional pedagogy and multidisciplinary approach, we leverage the lessons inherent in sport, education, and entrepreneurship to produce scholarly outputs, share stories of progress, and empower international changemakers in more than 90 countries.

To create a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world through sport and education.

The primary beneficiaries of our work are women and girls, persons with disabilities, youth, refugees, marginalized populations, practitioners, advocates, and students.

Although our director has worked in the field of Sport for Development and Peace for nearly 30 years, the CSPS was officially founded in 2012.

Soon after, we were awarded the inaugural Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) cooperative agreement through the U.S. Department of State.

Since then, we’ve been awarded nearly $14 million to promote gender equality and disability rights on a global scale.

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A people-first approach that values the dignity of every human being through intentionality, flexibility, humility, honesty, and selfless service to others.

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STRATEGIC VISION IT TAKES A VOLUNTEER

In October 2021, the University of Tennessee’s Office of the Chancellor launched a new campus-wide strategic vision. This initiative boldly transforms how the university community thinks about higher education by empowering learners of all ages and backgrounds while advancing the well-being of local and global communities. We couldn’t be more excited!

The next five pages show how our work over the past year (already) aligns with each of the five main goals set forth in the strategic vision.

Indeed, since our founding in 2012, we already embody many of the aspects within each goal. We are thrilled to show you how we are leading the way and embracing the Volunteer spirit!

A world enriched by our ideas, improved through our action, and inspired by the Volunteer spirit of service and leadership

Read the full Strategic Vision document.

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Cultivating the Volunteer Experience Demonstrate leadership in providing high-quality educational opportunities for people at every stage of life, whenever and wherever they seek to learn

GLOBAL CHANGEMAKERS

Students from every region of the world

Since 2012, the Center for Sport, Peace, and Society has been committed to delivering educational opportunities to individuals all over the globe and making those opportunities inclusive, engaging, and applicable to the diverse needs of learners. 2021 was no exception!

This year, we reached 78 individuals from 47 countries through virtual high-quality, educational workshops and seminars.

First, we developed two GSMP-University Courses, video-recorded classes and curriculum workbooks designed to meet the short and longterm educational and professional development needs of CSPS alumni. GSMP-U features content delivered by executives at ESPN, National Hockey League, United States Tennis Association, Women's Sports Foundation, and New Balance to name a few. Some examples of course topics include: Becoming a Purpose-Driven Organization, Leading in Times of Crisis, and Frameworks for Creating a Strong Team Culture.

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Second, we continued Office Hours, a series of one-hour Zoom calls designed to provide a safe and intimate space for U.S. mentors to share personal stories of success, strategies for overcoming challenges, and words of advice aimed to encourage CSPS alumni as they continue to lead the way for social change in their respective communities.

Office Hours were originally launched in 2020 and featured 23 mentors from partnering organizations (see page 19).

Third, we hosted the first fully-virtual GSMP by welcoming 14 women from 14 countries for the U.S. Department of State and espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program. The GSMP leverages the power of sport, mentorship, and partnerships to advance gender equality in and through sports worldwide. During the four-week program, our new GSMP sisters and their respective mentors worked together to grow leadership skills and refine strategic plans aimed at protecting and promoting women and girls at all levels of the sports industry.

Virtual Empower 21%

Office Hours 49% Digital Participation

GSMP-U 30%

Conducting Research that Makes Life & Lives Better

2021 VIRTUAL APPEARANCES

Advancing the frontiers of knowledge to create a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future through world-class research, scholarship, and creative work

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4 - PODCASTS

8 - PRESENTATIONS

10 - PANELS

22 - TOTAL

In 2021, CSPS delivered 8 presentations, participated in 10 virtual panels and social media live events, and was a featured guest in 4 podcasts. We shared the impact of our work, best practices for using sport to address issues in local communities, and strategies for leveraging the field of sports diplomacy to empower women and people with disabilities.

Demonstrating the real-life applicability of our research is core to the DNA of who we are. Incorporating our findings into creating innovative programs, sharing key lessons with global and local audiences, and working to make life and lives better illustrate how our engaged scholarship continues to impact the world, one superhero at a time.

Notably, we partnered with the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London for a digital workshop, “Empowering Women in Sports Diplomacy" and participated in the Sport Diplomacy and Cooperation for Peace and Development Forum at the University of Connecticut's "Beyond the Field" series.

To celebrate the International Day for Sport, Peace and Development we participated in a live Twitter Q&A on #BasketballForGood.

The conversation with FIBA Foundation, Sport Connect Africa CEO Cynthia Mumbo, and Basketball Dreamers Association President Victor Samnick engaged audiences from all around the globe on strategies for using basketball to empower youth.

In addition to virtual speaking events, our Peace Review essay, “SDP’s Winning Strategy for a Post-COVID19 Era,” provided new perspectives on how the Sport for Development and Peace and Sports Diplomacy fields can complement each other in tapping sports' power and potential across and within national boundaries.

Incorporating a clearer Sports Diplomacy framework into SDP approaches, and vice versa, can be a winning strategy for global sport in a postCOVID-19 world.

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Ensuring a Culture Where VOL is a Verb Developing and sustaining a nurturing university culture where diversity and community are enduring sources of strength

CSPS intern, Caitlin Goff, with Dr. Sarah & Dr. C

In our global and now virtual world, it is critical that students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to solve real-world problems. The CSPS is committed to mentoring a diverse group of students and working alongside faculty across campus by providing engaged scholarship collaborations, meeting one another at the intersection of academic disciplines in pursuit of positively impacting our world.

In 2021, CSPS mentored 10 students from 8 academic departments. As part of our internship initiative, students contributed to a variety of projects including: GSMP-U curriculum development, storytelling and press releases, Title IX research, disability awareness trainings, and ADA accessibility transcriptions for all GSMP and CSPS educational videos.

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Abigail Ferguson

Caitlin Goff

Department of KRSS, Kinesiology & Biological Sciences

Department of Political Science & College of Communication & Information

Gene Hevron

Jennie Littleton

Department of KRSS, Sport Management

Department of KRSS & College of Business

Kat Creveling

Katie Nyland

Educational Interpreting & Department of KRSS, Therapeutic Recreation

Department of KRSS, Kinesiology & College of Business

Kaylee Airola

Laurenz Howard

Department of KRSS, Kinesiology

Department of KRSS, S port Management

Quentin Scott

Valeria Lozano

Department of KRSS, Therapeutic Recreation

Department of KRSS, Kinesiology

We are proud to report that 5 interns were selected to present their collaborative research on global gender equity at the annual UTK Undergraduate Research symposium, EURēCA! Their presentation included a map examining gender inequalities in sport in Europe and Oceania and a timeline of the history of women in sports. We are SO PROUD of these students!

In addition, CSPS served as UT Promise mentors for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. UT Promise is a studentsuccess-oriented scholarship and mentorship program designed to provide first-generation students with the support they need to thrive while in pursuit of their academic goals. CSPS met with students consistently to provide overall support, encouragement, and advice as students progressed through their classes and made plans for life after graduation.

Making Ourselves Nimble and Adaptable Empowering and sustaining a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and innovation

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The past year was yet another masterclass in adapting to changing circumstances and illustrating the need to think on your feet, while reinforcing the merits of teamwork.

We helped alumni innovate and adapt with follow-on grants. Through our partnership with the U.S. Department of State, CSPS space manages a grant AVERAGE AWARD AMOUNT program which was able to distribute $185,000 in 2021 to directly support 27 alumni in 14 countries.

$9,250

These grants supported global COVID-19 relief efforts, including medical assistance and education, to vulnerable populations.

We worked across campus with UT Press, Journalism and Electronic Media, and the School of Art, on our multimedia storytelling project and book, Strong Women. Better World: Title IX’s Global Effect, launching June 2022.

We collaborated with the Portuguese Program on the Vols-Brazil Connection which creates opportunites for academic and cultural exchange between UT faculty, students, and CSPS alumni in Brazil.

We also worked closely with the UT Alumni Office by participating in the Home Sweet Home Series in which we interviewed two-time Olympian and CSPS Athlete Ambassador, LaVonna Martin Floreal about her experiences as a black female athlete at UT in the '80s.

The CSPS also continued its pioneering work as a hub of collaboration and innovation within UT. Throughout the year we partnered with faculty, staff and students from 14 different colleges, departments, and academic disciplines.

Lastly, we were honored to serve on committees in support of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences and the Office of the Chancellor's efforts to develop new strategic visions.

In order to succeed, we need a team and we are grateful for all of our teammates at the University of Tennessee!

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Embodying the Modern R1, Land-Grant University Connecting with every Tennessean and with communities around the world, inspiring future Volunteers to join our diverse community

This year, we innovated to connect communities locally and globally, empowering individuals around the world to utilize the superpowers of sport and storytelling to shine a light on Title IX's global ripple effect. This crucial legislation continues to impact women's opportunities and experiences in sport beyond the borders of the United States. One of Title IX’s biggest advocates was legendary UT basketball coach, Pat Summitt, whose efforts to empower women and girls through sports and education are honored in the CSPS’ work and reflected in our forthcoming #TitleIXat50 celebrations.

To this end, we developed and produced the Strong Women. Better World Podcast, which launched March 2, 2021 on Apple, Spotify, and Google. This globe-trotting adventure features fearless women who are using the power of sport, education, and social innovation to create a better world by kicking down the socio-political-cultural barriers standing in the way of equity and justice.

Season 1: Strong Women. Better World. and Season 2: The Road to Tokyo feature 34 CSPS alumnae from 22 countries. To date, the podcast has been downloaded over 1,100 times in 71 countries. Recording is underway for Season 3 with a focus on the experiences of CSPS alumnae living and working in Africa.

Carole Ponchon France

Original artwork by 2012 CSPS Alumna Ilina Arsova from North Macedonia

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Carmen "Piña" Pozo Rios Bolivia

Chisom Mbonu - Ezeoke Nigeria

That’s not all. We’re also building a dynamic, interactive website that harnesses the power of multimedia storytelling to illuminate the important ways that CSPS alumnae are breaking barriers around the world. We’re also writing an illustrated book, Strong Women.

Better World: Title IX’s Global Effect, which features the stories of nine CSPS alumnae.

Launching in June 2022, the book connects Tennesseans to a global network of super women and highlights why U.S. audiences should empower women worldwide to achieve their own Title IX moments.

PO-CHUN LIU TAIWAN

CSPS ALUMNA, 2017

After her time with CSPS, PoChun was named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in International Sport, organized the first adapted baseball game - the Little League Challenge - for children with disabilities in Taiwan, and was awarded the WORLD AWARD from the International Olympic Committee’s Women and Sport Awards.

In 2020, Po-Chun launched Sport for All, an NGO that provides girls and women the opportunity to benefit from the power of sport and education in Taiwan.

We are highlighting Po Chun's journey to becoming known as the "Mother of Women's Baseball" in Taiwan in our book, Strong Women. Better World: Title IX's Global Effect, to be released in June 2022.

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MEET ILINA ARSOVA, the first North Macedonian woman to scale the Seven Summits. In climbing the highest mountain on each continent, she’s inspiring others to aim for similar peaks in their own lives. Ilina is considered by many to be one of the finest athletes her country has ever known. She holds the record in her country for the highest climb and most difficult ascent.

CSPS 2012, North Macedonia

We are highlighting Ilina's journey from a young girl admiring Super Woman to the truly inspiring, super woman and role model that she is today in our book, Strong Women. Better World: Title IX’s Global Effect, to be released in June 2022.

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CHANGEMAKER spotlight "What better way to motivate others, to show them that nothing is impossible, than to climb to the top of the world?"

Ilina grew up admiring Superwoman.

Like Superwoman, Ilina wanted to develop her own strength and help bring justice to others.

The one thing that made her happy was climbing.

Ilina says that she climbed “even as a baby” on her parents’ back. At age 14 Ilina climbed Vodno Mountain in Skopje alone. This first climb was all it took; Ilina was hooked. She invited her sister and her schoolmates for group hikes and aspired to climb more mountains, recognizing that she had quite a talent for it.

The more challenging and risky the mountains were, the more enticing they became to her. She pushed her limits to the edge, left the comfort zone of home for months at a time, in order to scale different mountains in different countries. She was also aware of what she believes is obvious symbolism; we climb mountains every day, whether they be self-doubts, trying to advance in careers, problems in relationships, or others. For a while, these smaller climbs were enough, but eventually, they only amplified Ilina’s passion for mountaineering. She set her sights on what would be a historical accomplishment. She was going to be the first Macedonian female to climb each of the Seven Summits.

The Seven Summits represent the seven highest points on each of the seven continents. To undertake this extreme mountaineering challenge, Ilina had to be in exceptional physical condition.

She began to cross-train in other sports such as paragliding, skydiving, bouldering, hiking, biking, skiing, and swimming.

However, these were expensive undertakings, and Ilina soon realized that she couldn’t afford to train in all of them; she quit paragliding and skydiving and moved towards more specific training needed to climb the summits. The first of the Seven Summits she scaled was Mount Aconcagua in Argentina in 2011. In the following year, she journeyed to Africa and scaled Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ilina and her team had attempted to scale Mount McKinley in 2012, but the weather became just too unstable to continue. Channeling her inner Superwoman, Ilina made the wise decision to do what was best and safest for herself and those accompanying her; she suspended the climb and would try again another year. But like Superwoman, Ilina refused to give up. In addition to her Superwoman-esque perseverance, Ilina also possesses superhero-sized determination. As she explains, “Somehow I knew that McKinley would give me another chance.”

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PHILOSOPHY CENTER FOR SPORT, PEACE, & SOCIETY

THEORY OF EMPOWERMENT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

The Theory of Empowerment for Social Change is the outgrowth of more than 30 years of experience in international sports programming and action-based, qualitative research.

Through work with nearly 10,000 women, men, youth, and refugees from more than 90 countries, the CSPS developed a pedagogical philosophy of empowerment for social change. We apply this theory in a culturally-grounded manner where participants learn to view themselves as experts who are equipped to solve challenges in their local communities.

(Huffman, Hillyer, Malnati, Spellings, 2018)

people to new ideas, resources, and networks

people to tackle issues in their communities

people to carry out their own vision for change

people in new experiences and exchanges

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SUMMARY OF REVENUES

FUNDING FROM U.S. DOS GRANT

$1,140,000

FUNDING FROM GIFTS AND DONATIONS

$6,182

TOTAL

$1,146,182

GRANT MAKING $185,000

STORYTELLING PROJECTS*

$112,665

TOTAL

$297,665

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sign up to pre-order Strong Women. Better World: Title IX’s Global Effect, which will be launching in June 2022.

Help make an impact on underserved populations through sport, education, and media by making a donation to the Center for Sport, Peace, and Society here.

Click here to join our mailing list so you can stay up-to-date on our activities and impact.

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COVID-19 RELIEF FOLLOW-ON FUNDS

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@SportAndPeaceUT @TheCenterForSport PeaceSociety @SportAndPeaceUT

*Storytelling Project funds go directly to CSPS alumni to amplify their stories.

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@SportAndPeaceUT

Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center Arizona Disabled Sports Big East Conference Burton Snowboards Chicago Parks District CSM Sport & Entertainment Creative Artists Agency DoubleVerify ESPN Gatorade National Ability Center NCAA New Balance NHL Saatchi & Saatchi, LA Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Special Olympics Maryland The Desert Ability Center TIRR Memorial Hermann Turnstone Center U.S. Tennis Association University of Arizona Adapted Athletics University of Connecticut University of Tennessee University of Texas-Arlington Under Armour Women’s Sports Foundation

MEET DR. SARAH

DR. CAROLYN

Founder and Director

Chief of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability

HILLYER

SPELLINGS

MORGAN

CARLY

RAINEY

Media and Content Manager

Researcher and Writer

Program Assistant

IRISH-GEORGE

JOHNS

STUCKY

JONAH

JARON

Program Assistant

Photographer

HILLYER

JOHNS

th

he

TEAM ILINA

ABEER

CARMEN "PIÑA" POZO RIOS

PONCHON

2012 CSPS Alumna Artist and Writer

2017 CSPS Alumna Artist and Designer

2017 CSPS Alumna Writer and Podcast Host

2017 CSPS Alumna Writer and Podcast Host

ARSOVA

ESSAWY

DR. LINDSAY SARAH KRASNOFF

DR. STACEY

DR. JANINE

Writer and Editor

Writer and Editor

AL-ASEER

REESE

Researcher and Writer

CAROLE

Center for Sport, Peace, & Society | 1122 Volunteer Boulevard | 335 Claxton | Knoxville, TN 37996 sportandpeace.utk.edu

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