Pamplin Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging receives INSIGHT Into Diversity's Inspiring Programs in Business Award
The office earned the national recognition for advancing an inclusive business learning environment
The Pamplin College of Business Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) was awarded the 2023 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
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 Pamplin College of Business Office for DEIB will be featured in the April issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.
Inspiring Programs in Business Award recipients were selected based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in business through mentoring, teaching, outreach, research, and other programs and initiatives.
“It is truly an amazing time to be part of the Pamplin College of Business,” said Janice Branch Hall, Pamplin's associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. “Our courage and commitment to DEIB is a core strength that fuels our Pamplin community.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Pamplin’s Office for DEIB for its commitment to inspiring a sense of belonging for students and stakeholders using inclusive and innovative practices to elevate the human experience and develop culturally informed community leaders.
“We focus on our people and aim to build a model inclusive community that embraces academic excellence and cultural humility broadly. I like to imagine DEIB as humanity-in-action. It acknowledges and affirms the unique standpoints of individuals and groups while being intentional about addressing — or redressing — their issues with compassion and empathy,” said Branch Hall. “There is power in our diversity, and I am confident that our individual and collective contributions will elevate the lived experiences of future Hokies for generations to come. We are better together.”
The Office for DEIB achieves this charge through strategic initiatives and programming that integrate models of excellence in cutting-edge research, service, and business education. These efforts are spotlighted in the inaugural Pamplin DEIB Impact Report. The 2021-22 report highlights the college’s progress in meeting the DEIB goals outlined in Pamplin’s 2019-24 Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan around student enrollment, faculty, programming, engagement, and more.
The Office for DEIB hosts a range of programming and events aimed at engaging, supporting, and celebrating students and employees and building community and cultural humility among all Pamplin stakeholders.
Pamplin’s Inspiring Possibilities (PIP) Academy is among the Office for DEIB’s hallmark programs. The PIP Academy is a 10-day summer residential program designed to introduce high school students from diverse backgrounds to the world of business and business careers. The inaugural PIP Academy took place in July 2022 and included 27 student participants.
The Pamplin Undergraduate Mentoring Program is another initiative aimed at engaging and supporting students throughout their business education journeys. The program provides support to students with their transition into and through college by connecting them with resources to help them develop academically, personally, and professionally.
Additional Office for DEIB programs include the annual Spring Inclusion Dinner and Salute to Veterans Day events, “On the Move with DEIB” trips, faculty training, and many more.
“We are navigating a monumental culture shift in Pamplin, one that inspires accountability and shared governance beyond the Office for DEIB,” said Branch Hall. “What we aim to foster is a Pamplin mindset where issues of DEIB become every community member’s responsibility as critical to achieving sustainable transformation of our culture.”
“We know that many business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner, and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “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.”
More information on Pamplin DEIB programming is available online.
For more information about the 2023 Inspiring Programs in Business Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.
