INDIANA, Pa. - Indiana University of Pennsylvania faculty member Dr. Richard Hsaio and women's swimmer Rachel Johnson are members of the new Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Social Justice Task Force, announced Wednesday by commissioner Steve Murray. 

Dr. Hsaio is a professor for the IUP Sport Management program, coordinator for the MS in Sport Management and the MS in Sport Studies, and director of the James G. Mill Center for Health and Fitness. He's been with the University since 2005, and came from Florida State University where he taught sport law, sport marketing, and lifetime activity courses for four years. He has presented at more than 100 national and international professional conferences. He writes regularly, and his published work includes articles in the Journal of Recreation and Leisure, International Journal of Aquatic Education and Research, Sport and Leisure Management International Report, and Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Hsiao also published a textbook, The Management of Business in Sport: A Global Perspective.

Johnson is currently a junior with the IUP women's swimming program and is from Mohnton, Pennsylvania. She's a two-time All-American, earning it as part of the school-record breaking 400 medley relay as a freshman and then as an individual in the 100 backstroke last year. In addition to being a top swimmer in Division II, she's also a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American, boasting a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average as a hospitality management major. 

Social Justice Task Force
The group is made up of 22 members and represents a broad spectrum of backgrounds with the common goal of combating racism and injustice while focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion within the league.
 
The purpose of the Social Justice Task Force is to assist the PSAC and its member institutions in developing and recommending policy, programs, initiatives and education for the awareness, improvement, and success of the conference's efforts in diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice.
 
"Athletics has often led the positive social movements in history," explains Murray. "Our role in improving the conversations and circumstance within which our member institutions operate is critical.  With the creation of the taskforce, we take a significant step in having a positive influence for particularly our student-athletes."
 
The task force is composed of a diverse blend of student-athletes, coaches, campus administrators and athletics department staff members, with at least one representative from each of the league's 18 full member institutions.

About the PSAC
Headquartered in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 18 institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The member institutions are Bloomsburg University, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Gannon University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Mercyhurst University, Millersville University, The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University, Shepherd University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University and West Chester University.


Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Social Justice Task Force members
 
Name | Institution | Position Title (Committee Representation)
Molly Marnella | Bloomsburg | Faculty Athletics Representative
Scott Zema | California (Pa.) | Head Athletic Trainer
Jana Ashley | Clarion | Head Women's Basketball Coach
Marla Simmons | East Stroudsburg | Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
Katherine Robbins | Edinboro | Director of Athletics
Becky Perry | Gannon | Director, Center for Social Concerns
Richard Hsaio | Indiana (Pa.) | Graduate Coordinator, Sports Studies
Melinda Quinones | Kutztown | Director Multi-Cultural Services
Lindsay Reese | Lock Haven | Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Nichole Book | Mansfield | Library Services, Chair DEI Committee
Stacey Gaudette | Mercyhurst | SWA/Title IX Coordinator
JC Morgan | Millersville | Head Football Coach
Ray Wrabley | Pitt-Johnstown | Faculty Athletics Representative
Andre London | Seton Hill | Assistant Football Coach
Chauncey Winbush | Shepherd | Director of Athletics
Chartice Wyatt-Thermil | Shippensburg | Director, S-A Academic Services
Torry Rollins | Slippery Rock | Associate Athletics Director
Damien Blair | West Chester | Head Men's Basketball Coach
Zane Lewis | Shepherd | Student-Athlete, Football
Rachel Johnson | Indiana (Pa.) | Student-Athlete, Women's Swimming
Laurie Carter | Shippensburg | President (Ex Officio Chair, Presidents Executive Committee)
Chris Snyder | Seton Hill | Director of Athletics (Ex Officio Chair, Athletic Administrators Executive Committee)