How Stanford GSB Is Tackling Diversity & Inclusion

‘EMOTIONS WERE VERY HIGH WHEN TRUMP WAS ELECTED’

Both Ladd and Alexander believe Stanford is making progress. Alexander, who ended up as president of the Black Student Association at Stanford, recalls that she was surprised by the paucity of African-American speakers and protagonists in case studies. But she and her classmates provided a list of potential business leaders who were minorities. “We got that ball rolling and we got to connect those folks with the case writers at Stanford,” she says. “That was something we were really proud to get the ball rolling on. A lot of times when it comes to diversity folks don’t know where to begin.”

When she first came to campus, she heard a story shared by another minority on campus from Chicago that resonated with her. The student recalled getting on the wrong train in the city, surprised by where she ultimately ended up. “The doors open and it’s this world you have never seen before,” says Alexander who initially felt that way at Stanford. “The key that changes all those things is when people can spend time together. What changed my feelings was that.”

It did not help that she was at Stanford as one of the few underrepresented minorities during the 2016 Presidential election.“Emotions were very high when Trump was elected with a lot of different perspectives on campus, especially for students of color,” she says. There are a lot of Republicans at the GSB, and many of them felt unwelcome. We did a town hall and got together to speak about how we feel about this. The truth is, Stanford did a great job of providing space for us. Spaces do not get created naturally.”

‘GRATEFUL TO HAVE COME INTO ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS IN MY LIFE’

Meantime, Ladd has been organizing group discussions and small dinners among diverse students to help break down barriers and create a deeper understanding of each other’s differences. It was during his undergraduate years at Williams College that Ladd became more aware of social inequities.

“It was studying the history of racial inequity in the U.S.,” he says. “It helped me understand the community I had grown up in. I was fortunate to have some incredible friends to open my eyes to things I might have missed before. Coming here to the GSB, I see that this is a great way to educate myself on what I don’t know and to create a sense of belonging as I do because of all of my privilege.”

“I feel grateful to have come into one of the most diverse environments ever in my life,” says Ladd. “Our role at Stanford is to be transparent about those inequities and then we have a role in overcoming them and creating opportunities for those who have been marginalized in the past. I have been personally enriched by the diversity of my classmates and their willingness to share their experiences. We have a long way to go but we are proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

DON’T MISS: MINORITY ENROLLMENT FALLS AT TOP B-SCHOOLS or FOCUS ON DIVERSITY PAYS OFF FOR BERKELEY HAAS

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