Diversity & Inclusion in the Curriculum

Diversity in MBA Curriculum Working Group

The Forte Foundation and the MBA Roundtable are pleased to announce the formation of a graduate business education industry working group to address the need to improve the representation of more diverse perspectives in today’s graduate business curriculum.

The Working Group has been formed out of an initial research initiative that was done in conjunction with The Forte Foundation, the MBA Roundtable and the Case for Women in which MBA Core Curriculum was evaluated on the presence of female protagonists in core course business school cases.  Based on a preliminary sample of business schools, the results clearly expressed the need for increased representation for female, as well as other diverse protagonists in business school cases. 

In response to their initial research and in discussions and presentations to various industry groups, the partnership has launched a new working group of industry representatives to assist in driving the initiative forward.  Looking to build upon earlier initiatives, such as the 2014 and 2015 White House Summit on Expanding Business School Opportunities for Women and Families, and partnering with AACSB and GMAC’s diversity programs, the working group is proposing to look at ways to address the needs to have the MBA and other graduate business school curriculum truly represent the ever growing diversity in its student population.

One of the early goals is to develop a portal for business schools worldwide to discover resources to address these challenges in updating and innovating their curriculum.  Resources are expected to include where to find business cases with diverse protagonists along with resources for faculty on how to facilitate a diverse and inclusive classroom environment.

For additional information on the Diversity in MBA Curriculum Working Group or to share resources or expertise for their Resource Portal, please email jeff@mbaroundtable.org or elissa@fortefoundation.org.