Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
"Diversity is about all of us. Each person at Gies Business is a part of the diversity that makes up our community. When we work to increase the diversity that’s already here, and when we allow people to show up as their full selves, we all benefit."
Denise Lewin Loyd, Associate Dean for Equity, Gies College of Business
At Gies, we are not a one-size-fits-all college. We know that each unique individual here is part of the diversity that makes us great – and that we all get better when everyone’s voices are heard, and when we’re challenged to think differently.
Realizing the full expression and value of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture, however, doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a fervent, College-wide commitment to the day-to-day work – not only by committees in conference rooms, but by all members of our community in classrooms, virtual spaces, corridors, and wherever people gather across Gies Business.
Our Commitment
In 2020, we invited Dr. Denise Lewin Loyd – a longtime Gies professor whose research focuses on diversity and teams – to lead us in this important work as our first Associate Dean for Equity at Gies College of Business. We’ve also made diversity, equity, and inclusion a strategic priority – one that’s built upon the foundation of our core values. Together, these steps are at the heart of our commitment to making change a reality in our College culture.
Our Goals
- To make Gies a model for a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
- To be actively anti-racist and to train the next generation of business leaders to do the same.
- To engage the public and our corporate partners in our DEI efforts.
- To weave our DEI values and efforts into the fabric of our culture.
Dean Jeffrey Brown and our College leadership stand united in recognizing the importance of these issues, while at the same time acknowledging that we can – and must – do better. Since 2020, we have been taking a close, honest look at our existing programs and practices and have engaged in an intentionally inclusive and comprehensive process with a dual focus – to build trust and fluency while also taking action to enact real change.
