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Poole College of Management

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity is critical to the mission of Poole College and NC State. It is embedded in everything we do. Explore the college's vision and initiatives to create and advance a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Our Commitment

NC State defines diversity as an inclusive community of people with varied human characteristics, ideas and worldviews whose interactions both benefit and challenge each other to grow while making the community better.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is more than just words. It is a commitment to the work that has been done and the work that we still need to do to make sure that every person is welcomed and included at Poole College.  

Alumni Gateway on a cold winters day. PHOTO BY ROGER WINSTEAD

The Think and Do mindset of our university leads us to be better, to think broadly and critically, and to take action that improves upon where we are today. We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion drive innovation and excellence and create a stronger society.

Diversity Statement 

Jenkins MBA is
No. 1 in Diversity

Our full-time Jenkins MBA program has been ranked No. 1 in the inaugural B-School Diversity Index by Bloomberg Businessweek in 2022.

Faculty Diversity: 38% are Female, 12% — Underrepresented Minorities

Among tenure, tenure-track and professional faculty in the 2020-21 academic year.

Freshman Class:
49% are Female,
51% — Male

For the first time in the history of Undergraduate Programs, we have almost equal gender representation in the fall 2021 freshman class.

Recent Initiatives and Successes

During the summer of 2020, Dean Frank Buckless initiated a robust effort to help faculty and staff members cultivate a more equitable, inclusive environment at the Poole College of Management. He identified four key focus areas as a framework for developing DEI within classrooms and workspaces on campus:

  • Creating an inclusive environment
  • Increasing representation of faculty
  • Increasing diversity content within curricular
  • Increasing diversity of the student body

Learn more about the college’s diversity vision and our progress towards it.

featured updates

Tayah Butler

Tayah Butler Appointed as the First Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Butler’s new position stems from the college’s commitment to expand diversity and inclusion efforts for all programs and people.

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Latinx Heritage Month

The Power of Persistence: Environmental Displays Affirm Diversity

Public displays and artworks throughout Nelson Hall provide constant expression of Poole College’s support for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

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Inclusive By Design

A Holistic Approach to Learning and Development in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Grounded in a desire to grow toward the college’s established DEI commitments, Poole College added new DEI training options to the Poole Pack Professional Development Series.

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PCOM Student Planning Committee 1

Poole College Champions Diversity

Whether it’s sponsoring heritage events, supporting original research or helping students through donor generosity, Poole College strives to champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Students in Nelson Hall

Poole College Releases Diversity Statement

We came together as a college to create our statement on diversity, equity and inclusion to foster an inclusive environment.

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Poole College Diversity Hub

Announcement of Newly Formed DEI Committee

The committee works with members of the college’s leadership to create valuable programming and guidance to help the college as a whole be a welcoming place for all. 

Read more 

Signature Events

Poole College heritage celebrations have become a fun way for our college to contribute to the campuswide calendar of heritage events. We organize several community celebrations, including Latinx Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Black History Month and Diwali, and the college held its inaugural Poole Pride Conference in March 2020.  

ChelseaPlay Video

Faculty Scholarship

The college’s focus on diversity isn’t limited to campus events. Poole College faculty are busy creating and disseminating original scholarship on the value of diversity and the pervasiveness of bias.

featured thought leadership

Poole Podcast: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 101

Tayah Butler and Danya Perry discuss what colleges and universities can do to help grow the conversation around DEI. 

The Responsibility to Rebrand: Aunt Jemima’s Case Study

The case study delves into the questions around a brand’s responsibility to leverage its influence to effect change.  

Design Approach May Help Fix Bias in Artificial Intelligence

Researchers propose that software developers incorporate the concept of “feminist design thinking” into their development process as a way of improving equity. 

Diversity is Good for Business

By demonstrating that a past change in diversity causes a future change in innovation, but not the other way around, the researchers showed causality that diversity is good for business. 

How Investors Can Better Support Women and People of Color-owned Businesses

The report helps investors better understand why it is important to support women and people of color-owned businesses and how
they can best do so. 

Study Highlights Challenges Facing Black Computing Faculty

A study highlights the impact that microaggressions have on Black faculty, finding that it contributes to a sense of alienation from the larger higher education community. 

Explore Further

Diversity Statement ➜

Diversity Events ➜

Diversity Resources ➜

Diversity at NC State ➜