Sunflower State News

K-State's College of Business Administration receives 2023 Inspiring Programs in Business award

The College of Business Administration at Kansas State University has received the 2023 Inspiring Programs in Business award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. 

The Inspiring Programs in Business award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups in entering the field of business. The College of Business Administration will be featured, along with 21 other recipients, in the April 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. 

Award winners were selected based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in business through mentoring, teaching, research and successful programs and initiatives. 

"The College of Business Administration has long been committed to inspiring our underrepresented students on their success journey," said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. "This award celebrates the efforts of our college, led by Assistant Dean Olivia Law-DelRosso, in designing innovative academic programs of excellence that enhance and elevate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the college. It is the goal of the college faculty, staff and students to assure that all people, especially those who may be marginalized, have access to every possible opportunity to prepare them for career success. 

"We are dedicated to the ideal that every person who visits the business college will feel welcomed, valued and encouraged as both an individual and a part of the K-State family. This award validates the progress we are making to encourage a new generation of students to achieve and thrive in business careers."

One of the signature initiatives advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the College of Business Administration is the Rise Up Scholars program, established in 2021. This unique program serves all business students who identify with an underrepresented and historically marginalized group. Rise Up Scholars engage in world-class training to lead themselves and each other to achieve their goals. The Rise Up program serves more than 70 business students, and 100% of scholars have full-time jobs before graduation.

A new event, the B-Proud LGBTQ+ and Allies Career Fair, will take place on Tuesday, March 7, in the Business Building Atrium. At this event, students can identify companies for internships and full-time job opportunities as well as local community organizations or clubs where they can feel safe and be their authentic selves. 

"As a college, we have been working diligently to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging," said Olivia Law-DelRosso, assistant dean. "With this award, we honor the work that we have done and acknowledge the work still to do. We are thankful to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners who work together with us on this journey."

Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, said, "We know that many business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for underrepresented students. We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in business. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond."

For more information about the 2023 Inspiring Programs in Business award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit the magazine's website. 

Original source can be found here.