College of Business students promote diversity
JMU has many
resources for diversity awareness and collaboration, including a Diversity Task
Force, grants and education programs.
However, the College of Business is unique because it has the only
student-run diversity council on campus. Since 2010, the CoB SDC has been
promoting awareness of the increasing importance of diversity in modern-day
business and creating an environment that fosters various perspectives. This Saturday, Feb. 9, the CoB SDC will hold
its first diversity conference.
Diversity
benefits a community in many ways. According
to Tiffany Fung, a senior computer information systems major and the diversity
council’s president, “In my opinion, the biggest problem is that students do
not have an open heart and mind to new ideas.
Differences are inevitable, but studies have shown that a heterogeneous
group almost always outperforms a homogeneous group. Students need to learn to
step outside of their comfort zones in class and think outside the box.”
Fung got involved
with the CoB SDC her freshman year because the council’s mission is to provide
students with opportunities they would not normally have. “The council offers diversity events, giving
presentations to other students and departments across campus, networking with
recruiters, and meeting other students and clubs,” said Fung. Unlike faculty or staff diversity councils on
campus, the CoB SDC is unique because it allows students to really get involved
and produce student-run, student-focused diversity outreach programs.
“I hope to let
students know that diversity is a serious and important matter. It will play a
big part in their future careers and impact their work. I hope that we can keep
this upcoming diversity conference an annual event to bring more students to
the conference to learn about the different aspects of diversity,” says Fung.
The diversity
conference, “Leading in a Multicultural Society," will discuss diversity
and leadership with topics such as "How am I diverse,” "Different
aspects of diversity,” "Diversity dilemmas in the workplace,” and
"Why is diversity important.”
Workshops and panels will be led by College of Business professors,
students and various companies such as Deloitte, IBM and Grant Thornton. Fung
says the objective of this conference is “to teach students about all the
facets of diversity and how to use this knowledge to help them better lead or
work in the future.” The CoB SDC is very excited to have JMU President Jonathan
Alger as the keynote speaker.
“Leading
in a Multicultural Society” will be held this Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m., in Zane Showker Hall, Room 105.
The conference is free and open to all business majors. Breakfast and lunch is included with
registration.
# # #
by Cassandra Lenski
February 7, 2013
