New student organization embraces diversity, inclusion and belonging

A new RCB student organization embraces diversity and promotes inclusion and belonging in the workplace, values that the College’s future business leaders will take into their careers.

The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Business club highlights the distinctive skills and perspectives each person contributes to the work setting. 

“Every student has a unique background or skills that will help them succeed in the business world,” said Sapna Modi ’23, club president and a finance major from Voorhees Township. “We want them to embrace that and expand their social and professional networks. We want to help them become more confident going out into the world.”

Students need to feel secure in their abilities and included even if they are different from someone else, Modi explained. “We want it to be all about equality,” she said.

“Conversations that have come up over the past year have created a lot of opportunities in the workforce for diverse populations,” said Elisabeth Parker, DIBB advisor and employer relations associate, Rohrer Center for Professional Development. DIBB can increase awareness of internships and opportunities for diverse students and help make those connections.

DIBB programs have included a speaker from INROADS, a professional development program for minorities in underserved populations; a speaker on the role of human resources in diversity and inclusion strategy; a speaker from Target that conducted a LinkedIn workshop; and assorted others.

“People are embracing being their authentic selves at work, so it’s important that they have knowledge about diversity topics and know how to express it appropriately in the workplace,” said Amanda Holzlein ’22, community outreach chair and a human resources management major from Jackson.

“There’s also a business case for diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity is necessary for innovation, creativity in the workplace,” Holzlein said. Recognizing the importance of diversity in college and carrying it into a profession also helps the organizations that students are a part of, she said.

Holzlein eagerly anticipates alumni returning and sharing how DIBB helped them in their careers. “When we get to that point, it’s going to be really fulfilling,” she said.