Tatum joins NCAA Division II Membership Committee for three-year term

Northwest Missouri State University President Dr. Lance Tatum recently was selected to serve as a member of the NCAA Division II Membership Committee.

Tatum’s appointment began Jan. 15 and continues through August 2029.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the NCAA Division II Membership Committee, and I look forward to the work of the Committee in shaping the future makeup of Division II membership,” Tatum said. “This work is central to preserving the integrity of the division.”

The NCAA Division II Membership Committee governs membership requirements, overseeing applications, compliance and policies to ensure new members uphold the division’s standards, in addition to handling NCAA Convention voting and enforcing penalties for non-compliance, guiding institutions to successful membership through education and oversight.

NCAA Division II supports nearly 300 colleges and universities. Member institutions typically use a partial scholarship model and feature regionally focused competition with campus environments where athletics are integrated into the broader student experience.

Now in his third year as Northwest’s president, Tatum has prioritized enrollment growth and sustainability, enhancing the collegiate experience, supporting the University’s people and its operations. This spring, the University is initiating a new strategic plan, titled “Excellence: The Northwest Way.”

Additionally, with Tatum’s support, the University is in the second phase of a $105 million infrastructure modernization project that will deliver more reliable, sustainable and cost-effective heating, cooling and water to campus facilities.

For more information about Tatum, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/president/.