Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Commitment Where It Counts

Scheller is located in the heart of Atlanta, a city rich in civil and human rights history. We’re a vibrant, deeply connected community focused on inclusion and collaboration. The foundation of our work is cultivating leaders who are committed to positive and transformational action in the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Expanding Access

The challenges we face as a society demand we engage and empower more people with different backgrounds and perspectives than ever before. Learn about how Georgia Tech is doing this work.

“I’ve met incredibly eclectic, diverse, and passionate pockets of people at our school — entrepreneurs, activists, artists, and athletes who come from different backgrounds and upbringings. All it takes is a little conversation to see the melting pot that Scheller has become.”

– Aiman Shahab
BSBA '20 Senior Strategy Analyst, Accenture

Scheller Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

The Scheller Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council was formally reconstituted by Dean Alavi in 2020 to foster organizational change and create equal access to opportunities for educational and professional growth and advancement.

Contact the Council

“Every Scheller student is sharp and driven, but it’s the diversity of my class that has spurred fascinating discussions and collaboration. Scheller has done a great job leveraging this diversity in building strong core teams. My team is a mix of men and women representing four undergraduate majors, three states, two countries, one master’s degree, and 26 years of combined business experience.”

– Scott Spencer
Full-time MBA '22

Download the DEI Council Charter to learn more about the mission and scope, membership and roles, and governance of the Council.

Download Council Charter

Co-Chairs

Michael Oxman, Staff (Co-Chair)

Students

Stacy Feeling, Full-time MBA Student
Danielle Hall, Executive MBA Student
Jason Juang, Undergraduate Student
Charlene Manuel, Evening MBA Student
Cindy Qiu, Undergraduate Student
Abhinav Shubham, Ph.D. Student

Faculty/Staff

Sophia Cruz, Staff
Chuck Easley Jr., Faculty
Anne Fuller, Faculty
Gail Greene, Staff
Michael Lowe, Faculty
Nikki Mackenzie, Faculty
Brittany McCormick, Staff
Arianna Robinson, Staff
Shannon Smith, Staff

Alumni

Jamaal Broome, Evening MBA Alum
Duane Carthy, Executive MBA Alum

Ex-Officio Members

Terry Blum, Faculty, ADVANCE Professor
Maria Misbach, Staff, Marketing/Communications

Support

Madolyn Penuel, Staff

Goals	Recommendations
Continue social and team activities that contribute to community building	Continue to promote DEI awareness through impactful initiatives Host DEI book discussion group Host Equitable Dinners Atlanta sessions
Create and maintain webpages related to DEI resources and activities	DEI Council activity Events and initiatives HR best practices Faculty resources and research Procurement guidance
Conduct and host an annual event for the College on DEI issues and practices	Activate Scheller DEI alumni ambassadors as a community of resources for mentoring and professional development Contribute budget
Sponsor an annual event to lead advocacy of inclusive entrepreneurship in Atlanta community and beyond	Position Scheller as a leader in inclusive innovation Develop directory of alumni entrepreneurs Coordinate Council's alumni ambassador programming Contribute budget
Accumulate and showcase DEI related programs, practicums, and (ex) curricular guest speakers	Provide budget for stipends and parking Spread the word and promote activities Could tie into book discussion group

Scheller Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ambassadors

Scheller DEI ambassadors are alumni of the College with a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our ambassadors have experience in our programs and within the larger business community, and they can act as advisors and mentors to Scheller students, faculty, and staff. You can reach out to a DEI ambassador for support in the following areas:

Discuss with the ambassador DEI-related questions, issues, and solutions at the College or in the workplace
Use the ambassador as a sounding board for sharing ideas and strategies for inclusivity
Request an ambassador’s participation as a guest speaker, panelist, or host in an event, panel discussion, workshop, or class
Connect with an ambassador’s company on specific projects or practicums
Seek out an ambassador to act as a mentor in your academic and career journey

Connect With an Ambassador

A Community for Inclusive Excellence

Forté Foundation

Scheller is a proud member of the Forté Foundation, a consortium of leading companies and top business schools that promotes educational and leadership opportunities for women in business.

Learn More

Management Leadership for Tomorrow

Scheller is a proud member of the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a distinguished nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans with the skills, coaching, and connections they need to lead organizations and communities worldwide.

Learn More

National Black MBA Association

Scheller supports the mission of the National Black MBA Association, which works to support minority MBA students and business professionals. Each year, our students attend the National Black MBA Conference, one of the largest professional development and job recruitment events in the nation.

Learn More

Prospanica

Scheller is a proud university partner of Prospanica, an organization dedicated to empowering and enabling Hispanic MBAs and business professionals to achieve their full educational, economic, and social potential. Prospanica creates alliances with universities for Hispanic scholars interested in higher education through awarded tuition.

Learn More

Reaching Out MBA

Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) empowers LGBTQIA+ MBA students to become professionals who will lead the way to equality in business and society. Through its programming, anchored by its annual conference, ROMBA educates, inspires, and connects an increasingly diverse community.

Learn More

Women in Technology

By partnering with Women in Technology (WIT), Scheller is connected to women leaders in the tech industry. For more than 20 years, WIT has worked to advance women in technology—from the classroom to the boardroom—by providing advocacy, leadership development, networking, mentoring, and technology education.

Learn More

Blacks in Business

Blacks in Business (BiB) is dedicated to the academic, professional, and personal development of its members. The organization supports the recruitment of diverse students to Scheller and welcomes all Georgia Tech students who support its goals.

Diversity in Business

Diversity in Business is a student organization that promotes and highlights the diversity within the Georgia Tech student community and the broader business world by hosting networking and learning events with prominent companies.

MBA International Committee

This student-led group celebrates international heritage, provides an opportunity for students to connect with other international Scheller community members, and introduces all MBA students to cultures and traditions from around the world.

Scheller Veterans Club

The Scheller Veterans Club is committed to assisting transitioning service members and veterans who are interested in pursuing an MBA. Members take great pride in their military experience and are proud to be a part of the Scheller community.

Scheller Pride

Scheller Pride supports the LGBTQIA community of Scheller's business program. The club’s efforts are aimed at promoting networking and socializing opportunities and connecting with all members across prospective students, Full-time, Evening, and Executive MBA students, as well as alumni and staff.

Society of Women in Business

Through social activities, professional development events, and career networking opportunities, the Society of Women in Business supports and empowers Georgia Tech students to become successful business leaders.

Women in Business

Women in Business is a student-led organization that supports and empowers Scheller MBAs to become successful leaders through social activities, professional development events, and networking opportunities.

Three people sitting down to record a podcast episode.

Building Belonging for Sustainable Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In this episode, host and first-year MBA student Analisa Wade sits with Cedrick Gipson, Evening MBA alum and managing sales director at Microsoft, and Tonya Parker, director of inclusive excellence at Scheller, to discuss belonging in the workplace and the long-term commitment to sustaining initiatives to drive business success.

“I have been proud to found and lead Diversity in Business and serve on the Scheller DE&I Council, two organizations that Scheller has fully supported. These initiatives, among various others, demonstrate Scheller’s earnest support for diversity, equity, and inclusion not only as a strategic focus but as core values that pervade every aspect of its success.”

– Kara Pomeranz
BSBA '22 Risk & Regulatory Associate, PwC