Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

The KU School of Business is committed to fostering a culture of diversity. It’s one of our core commitments: We commit to creating and supporting an atmosphere of inclusivity in which all people, ideas, perspectives and experiences are valued.

In order to support this core commitment, the School of Business has formed a DEIB Task Force composed of our Dean's Advisory Board members, as well as an internal DEIB Workgroup composed of 12 faculty and staff members.

The DEIB Workgroup was created to develop tangible plans for DEIB program expansion, including programs for pre-college students, current business students and alumni. The workgroup will make recommendations provided back to the DEIB Task Force, and these recommendations about potential program changes and funding strategies will inform a forthcoming DEIB strategic plan that the School of Business will share as it becomes available.

  • Nearly 100 students engaged in MSP Scholars Program in Business (MBSP) for 2023–24 academic year;
  • Launch of Diversity Through the Arts initiative, presented in partnership with the Spencer Museum of Art: School of Business students engage and explore concepts of DEIB, consumerism, global impact and more through the museum’s collections;
  • Establishing of annual Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership Summit (IDEALS): The event, open to all KU students, creates a space to celebrate all identities while fostering learning opportunities;
  • Organizing of formal application process to take delegation of KU Business students to National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE): Seven students attended the 2023 conference in New Orleans, and members of the school’s DEIB team presented at the conference. Another delegation of students will apply to attend the 2024 conference in Honolulu;
  • Hosting of information webinars for school’s Summer Venture in Business and MBSP: Prospective students and their families receive program details and can interact with current students, staff or faculty;
  • Presence at KU student-recruitment events, including MBSP Luncheon for incoming students at which they can meet fellow students and receive information about what to expect on campus and in their classes;
  • Partnership with Enrich Scholars, an online career prep platform specially for students and young people of color;
  • Ongoing various trainings and tablings for School of Business students centered on well-being, support and DEIB resources;

MSP Scholars Program in Business (MBSP)

The MSP Scholars Program in Business (MBSP) is a unique scholarship and mentoring program that seeks to create opportunities for students to excel academically, professionally and personally. Through the implementation of intentional interactions, this program caters to holistic student development.

Program benefits include alumni and faculty mentoring, individual and group meetings, professional networking and development opportunities, and social programming. The ultimate goal of this program is to retain and graduate underrepresented students, and to connect them with post-graduate experiences that lead them to a successful career of their choice.

 

Summer Venture in Business

Summer Venture in Business is a pre-college summer academy housed in the University of Kansas School of Business for underrepresented students in high school and/or potential first-generation college students who are interested in business.

The goal of this program is to familiarize high school students with aspects of the college experience in and out of the classroom. It serves as a pipeline program for students to access academic resources and opportunities at KU. In addition to exposing participants to business topics, Summer Venture aims to equip students with the tools and knowledge for applying to the university, succeeding in college, and prospering in their careers.

DEIB in action