Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Seen, Heard, Valued
The Gies Business Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is actively engaged in fostering an inclusive learning and working environment where all are seen, heard, and valued.
We provide leadership to units to implement data-informed strategies that empower future business leaders, faculty, and staff to be culturally aware, actively anti-racist, and equity-minded.
We support the College’s Commitments and Beliefs through our intentional and collaborative engagement with alumni, community members, and corporate partners to reduce inequity, expand access, and enhance belonging.
We believe that a more equitable future is necessary and becomes possible with the sincere investment of all.
Strategic Initiatives
Here’s how we put “Seen, Heard, Valued” into practice:
- Consultative guidance for enhancing equity and inclusion
- Training and development opportunities
- Faculty and staff affinity groups
- Student affinity groups
- Collaborative programming
LGBTQ+ Student Affinity Group
New in 2024, Pride at Gies, an LGBTQ+ student affinity group, is open to undergraduates pursuing a major or minor through Gies Business. Email inclusion@business.illinois.edu to learn more or receive sign-up information.
Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups
These faculty and staff groups strive to foster a supportive environment for participants, elevate their voices, and provide visibility and resources for others within the College.
They host workshops, webinars, member socials, guest speakers, and special student-facing events. Past events have included a Black History Month Mixer, a women’s speaker series, and a “Love Is Love” event, among many other engaging opportunities.
- Black Faculty and Staff at Gies
- LGBTQ+ and Allies at Gies
- Women at Gies
Email inclusion@business.illinois.edu to learn more or receive sign-up information.
Gies Business Resources
- Access & Multicultural Engagement for Undergraduates
- Embedded Counselor (assigned to Gies Business)
- Student Success
Campus Resources
- Counseling Center
- First-Generation Students
- Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Student Success, Inclusion, and Belonging, including information for cultural houses, gender and sexuality resources, international education, and more.
- Submitting a Campus Belonging Report
Engage with the Office of DEI
Our Team
Related Articles
Nov 06
PODCAST: Associate Dean for Equity Denise Lewin Loyd
Professor of business administration and Vernon Zimmerman Faculty Fellow Denise Lewin Loyd discusses about the importance of diversity within teams - and how research shows it's not just the right way to go, but the best way to go.
Sep 19
Seen, heard, and valued: DEI Director Tekita Bankhead leads with intent to include
Tekita Bankhead brings extensive experience in DEI work and mental health advocacy, directing teams and developing programming at the University of Illinois and across the US.
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Twelve Gies faculty earn promotions for 2024
Promotion is a recognition of these faculty members’ ongoing dedication and productivity in the classroom and in the research field. Their efforts in these dual missions of the College elevate the reputation of Gies.
May 01
Gilmore Business and Social Innovation Fund created to support experiential learning
With a vision to bridge the gap between business and social innovation, the Gilmore Business and Social Innovation Fund will provide crucial support to both the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning at Gies Business and the Community Learning Lab at the School of Social Work.
Apr 12
How the Gies iMBA helps you learn and lead with a diversity mindset
Business leaders in the iMBA learn by doing, in the safety of a classroom setting, to not take everything they’re familiar with for granted and recognize how things are done differently in different parts of a state, a country and the world.
Jan 31
Gies Business to host AMA’s Diversity Leadership Institute
The four-day retreat that allows 20-25 undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to network with each other and participate in small groups led by faculty and industry leaders.