From Lubar School of Business
A new graduate certificate at the Lubar School of Business focuses on developing the organizational leadership skills of working professionals in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The program comes at the perfect time, says Lubar Professor of Management Belle Rose Ragins, as organizations increasingly seek leaders with the knowledge and skills to transform cultures and create more inclusive and equitable teams and workplaces.
For example, Indeed.com found that job postings in diversity and inclusion rose by 123% between May and September of 2021. This growing demand is being driven by changing workforce demographics and the recognition that organizations must take a leadership role in working for social justice within and outside the workplace.
Ragins says that champions for diversity need two primary skills sets. First, they need to understand diversity as a multifaceted, intersectional, and interdisciplinary construct. But she says they also need a solid foundation in leadership, team building, and organizational processes.
“By integrating leadership and diversity courses, we are able to help our graduate students develop the knowledge, awareness, and skills that will help the DEI initiatives in their organizations succeed,” says Ragins.
The 5-course program will prepare professionals from a wide range of positions who are interested in leading diversity initiatives in corporate, education, government, health care, community, and nonprofit settings.
It can be completed as a stand-alone certificate or in combination with a master’s degree program. More information is available on the Lubar website.