KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Kutztown University president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson announced the appointment of 2006 alumnus Bilal Salaam as the diversity & inclusion officer for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreational Services, Thursday. Salaam, who has served as an assistant men's basketball coach at KU since 2017, begins his new position February 1.

"The creation of this new and unique position is an effort to enhance the commitment to diversity and inclusion on our campus," Hawkinson said. "Bilal brings a combination of excellent diversity experience from around the region and globe, as well as an intimate knowledge of Kutztown University. We're excited to have him in this expanded role and expect great results."

Salaam returned to his alma mater as an assistant men's basketball coach in 2017 following a 12-year professional playing career that included stops in Argentina, China, Finland, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, Sweden and Switzerland.
 
Upon his arrival back in the states, Salaam worked with a behavioral health organization based in Chester County, assisting and supporting adolescents in numerous life-skills areas. His coaching position at KU coincided with a professional move back to Berks County when he joined Justice Works Youth Care as a family resource specialist in October, 2017. After nearly three years in that role, Salaam took a position as an income maintenance caseworker with the Berks County Assistance Office in April, 2019.

Salaam's role at KU grew last June when he was selected to chair the Athletics Diversity Committee.

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, as Kutztown University has always been my second home," Salaam said. "This position means more to me than words can express. It allows me to work with all student-athletes and provide them with the opportunity to engage with a former KU and professional athlete, who can empathize with their struggles, from a marginalized standpoint and from a sports perspective. This is really something that I have longed to do. I enjoy helping others reach their potential by removing barriers and identifying creative resources for their utilization."

As the university's diversity & inclusion officer for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreational Services, Salaam will report to Amy Sandt, assistant vice president for Recreational Services & Athletic Resources.
 
Among Salaam's duties are advising the administration on all diversity matters within the division, overseeing personnel searches to ensure the recruitment of diverse candidates for all positions, grant submissions for minority administration and coaching positions through the NCAA and other organizations, leading the athletics diversity committee, serving as the department liaison to all diversity and inclusion offices on campus, assisting coaches in the recruitment and retention of diverse student-athletes and coordinating annual diversity and inclusion training and education opportunities.

"This new role puts me in a position to ensure all of our student-athletes are in an environment that nourishes their abilities and allows them to fully express themselves in a positive manner on their respect fields of play, in the classroom and in their daily lives," Salaam added. "I look forward to helping implement the necessary changes to make Kutztown University a more diverse, inclusive, and unified place, starting with our athletic programs, expanding to the entire campus, and extending to the larger community. My experience at KU as a student-athlete catapulted me into a diverse world, traveling to every continent, except Australia, thereby, establishing relationships, adjusting to cultures, and broadening the horizons of people around the world. I hope to bring these lessons, ideas, and skills I have learned and use them to improve our campus as a whole.
 
"We welcome Bilal in this expanded role with Golden Bear Athletics & Recreational Services," said Matt Santos, vice president for University Relations & Athletics. "He truly loves KU and has a great history with the university as a hall of fame student-athlete and coach. Combined with his world experience, Bilal will be a tremendous help to our coaches, student-athletes and overall campus in our efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion."
 
A standout on the men's basketball team at KU from 2001-05, Salaam was a four-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division selection and the 2004-05 PSAC East Athlete of the Year. He is the program's all-time leader in rebounds (980) and blocked shots (408), and also holds the PSAC record for blocks in a career. Salaam, originally from Wilmington, Del., ranks ninth in free throws made (313), 10th in scoring (1,342 points) and 10th in field goals made (487) among KU's career leaders.
 
Salaam, who currently resides in Reading, Pa., received his Bachelor of Science in Leisure & Sport Studies from KU in 2006. He was inducted into the KU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.