Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a collection of policies and programs within an organization designed to encourage representation and participation of people across all racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and ability backgrounds. With the increased attention being paid to DEI principles both across the United States and around the world, tomorrow’s business leaders need to understand how to encourage and promote participation among diverse groups of people—not just those who historically have had an easier time rising to the top of companies.
In the past, elements of DEI were included in human capital– or organizational behavior–focused classes. However, some MBA programs now integrate DEI teaching across their core curriculum, elective curriculum, and specializations so that future leaders across all functions understand why it’s important that their organizations have diverse representation and participation: it’s a moral imperative, and it improves the bottom line. For example, one study by Boston Consulting Group found that diverse management teams can raise revenues by 19%, while further research showed a 50% reduction in attrition risk. Diversity in an organization also leads to more creative ideas, stronger satisfaction and retention, and a stronger brand in the marketplace.
While the current political climate has caused some schools to change, rename, or even take away (on paper) some of their DEI initiatives, MBA programs still see diversity and inclusion as a priority. For instance, business schools including Berkeley Haas and UCLA Anderson have reaffirmed their focus on diversity and inclusion, while others are maintaining their commitment to presenting the concepts in the classroom. Business school officials know that in this increasingly complex world, industries require diversity to solve the problems they face. As such, the classroom must reflect that same diversity of thought, experience, and background. So, regardless of whether a major, concentration, department, or event exists in the same manner as a year ago, the principles still remain.
Weaving DEI into MBA Teaching
These are some of the different ways that DEI is integrated at top MBA programs:
- Duke Fuqua: Fuqua views its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Concentration as complementary to the school’s other concentrations. The courses are designed to provide “general skills for the current and future work place in which diversity of all forms (demographic, cognitive, and cultural) will be a critical source of firm success.”
- Emory Goizueta: Goizueta’s Statement of Values proclaims that the school “values diversity, equity, and inclusion for every person without exception.” As part of that, Goizueta created the Culture & Inclusion Concentration to instill a core value of embracing emerging insights in the corporate setting while nurturing unique perspectives.
- Georgetown McDonough: Georgetown’s MBA curriculum includes multiple courses focused on DEI, such as “Innovation Through Inclusion,” which are designed to help students understand and practice inclusive management skills as well as to better understand racial equity.
- London Business School (LBS): LBS’s approach to weaving DEI—which the school calls Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB)—throughout the curriculum has included an exercise for first-year MBA students as part of an “Intro to Organizational Behavior” module. The instructor wanted to spark conversation around the gender pay gap in the United Kingdom, so students were asked to decide how they, as corporate leadership, would disclose their company’s pay gap.
- Northwestern Kellogg: At Kellogg, students can choose majors and pathways to specialize in their fields of interest. The Sustainability: Social Impact & Responsible Leadership Course Pathway offers the course “Beyond Diversity: Leading Multicultural Meritocracy” to prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex environment that includes multicultural perspectives.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler: UNC provides many opportunities to develop a DEI toolkit starting with the Leadership Weekend orientation and the “Leading & Managing” and “Ethical Leadership” courses in the first year.
- Wharton: Wharton offers a Leading Across Differences major to prepare students to create inclusive and equitable environments in the workplace. The curriculum includes studies in legal, ethics, economics, and public policy.
Taking Collective Action on DEI
Reflecting the amplified effort to integrate DEI into MBA programs, top business schools participate in the annual Academic DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Conference co-sponsored by Columbia Business School, Ivey Business School, the Division of Research and Faculty Development at Harvard Business School, and MIT Sloan. The conference brings together leading scholars to discuss their ongoing efforts to translate DEI research findings into tangible classroom tools so that future leaders are prepared for the diverse environments they will face.
In addition to weaving DEI best practices throughout their curriculums, most top business schools have created action plans to support DEI initiatives internally across their programs—from recruiting a diverse faculty and student body, to developing inclusive global leaders, to building relationships with inclusive employers.
Integrating DEI into the MBA Application Process
Along with adding DEI best practices to student learning and faculty experiences, some top MBA programs are now evaluating DEI fluency during the application process. For example, asks recommenders to cite examples of how the applicant has dealt with diversity:
Share an example of how the candidate has engaged with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders who held perspectives different from their own. How did they navigate the situation, and what does this demonstrate about their ability to lead or collaborate in complex environments? (300 words)
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