Be seen. Be heard. Be here. The 2023 Tuck Diversity Conference

The three-day conference kicks off on Friday, September 22 with a series of small group dinners and a networking event. On Saturday and Sunday, participants will have the opportunity to attend sessions with current students, alumni, faculty, the Admissions team, and visiting executives; tour campus and Tuck housing; hear from keynote speaker Nykia Wright T’09; attend the annual Tuck Blacklight Party, and more.

As we look ahead to DivCo, the 2023 co-chairs—T’24s Titi Adegbola, Fresia Blanco, Niklas (Zeqi) Wu, Olakunle Alao, Ta-Von Wilson, and Hilde Tineo—reflect on this year’s theme and what make DivCo and Tuck such transformative experiences.

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Titi Adegbola T’24

As my team prepared the final presentation for our Tuck First-Year Project (FYP), I found myself reflecting on the journey we had taken together: from forming our team in Hanover to meeting with our client in Tokyo and eventually returning to school to execute the project tasks. In that moment, I felt truly heard, valued, and connected to a group of five brilliant minds representing different corners of the world—the United States, United Kingdom, China, Finland, Sweden, and myself from Nigeria. Throughout our FYP journey, we brought a diverse and rich blend of perspectives attributed to our varied professional experiences, and cultural backgrounds. Our shared dedication and commitment resulted in a successful collaboration with our client.

At Tuck, fostering authenticity and inclusivity is deep-rooted in every aspect of the learning experience. Whether in formal classroom settings or through a variety of extracurricular activities, Tuck strives to create an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and respected.

That's why we invite you to join us at the Diversity Conference—an opportunity for you to explore insightful conversations and discover why you deserve to be seen, heard, and to understand why Tuck could be the perfect place for you.

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Fresia Blanco T’24

After I attended the 2021 DivCo conference, Tuck quickly became my first choice. I was very hesitant about Tuck when I was applying. I remember thinking that it was too isolated, and I would most likely have trouble fitting in. Thankfully, my Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) coach had encouraged me to come visit and it instantly changed my perspective. Prior to DivCo, I was only interested in applying to MBA programs on the West Coast because I had always dreamed of moving out west. But DivCo changed the game for me. Although the West Coast was what I wanted, I knew that Tuck was what I needed. 

My DivCo experience was so special and an integral part of my journey to Tuck. I distinctly remember one of the conference speakers telling us, “Think of Tuck as your experiment lab: If you can learn to be yourself here, you can learn to be yourself anywhere.”  As I begin my second year, this piece of advice could not be truer. Tuck is much more than an MBA program. It’s a life changing experience where you are constantly reflecting on where you started and where you want to go—and there’s an entire sea of Dartmouth green cheering you on along the way. Don’t get me wrong there’s plenty of hurdles and internal challenges everyone deals with. But we’re all grounded in authenticity. We want everyone to be seen, be heard, and be here.  

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Niklas (Zeqi) Wu T’24

When I was looking into different business schools, I was shocked to learn that at Tuck, the professors actually know everyone’s name. It’s true. At the end of my very first month at Tuck, my professors already remembered all our names, without the aid of a seating chart or name tags! What’s more, we often ran into each other multiple times a day and would always stop to converse a little. Indeed, thanks to the small class size and how well the program is designed, I have quickly become very close to my classmates, professors, and staff members. I share good news with them. I turn to them for help. Whenever I travel for recruiting purposes, I cannot wait to get back to Tuck and Hanover because I simply want to spend time and hang out with them! Tuck has become our family in the Upper Valley.

It’s in this close-knit culture and supportive environment that I care enough and feel safe enough to show and develop my authentic self. At Tuck, I learn to be comfortable with sharing what I think. I am no longer afraid to get out of my comfort zone and be different. Most importantly, I know that they always see me, hear me, and want me to be here. Now, I want to welcome you to join us on this journey and celebrate our authenticity and diversity! 

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Olakunle Alao T’24

I've always believed in the power of being your authentic self and embracing challenges, and Tuck is like a breath of fresh air in that regard. This tight-knit community genuinely prioritizes personal growth and independent thinking, making it a safe space to truly be yourself.

At Tuck, I feel seen and valued in a way that I think is truly special. I’ve connected with a group of like-minded individuals who appreciate my unique perspective. Engaging in open discussions, I feel not only encouraged but also empowered to express my most genuine thoughts and beliefs, creating an environment where acceptance and exploration thrive.
But Tuck isn't just a place of learning; it has been a place of immense personal growth for me. The mentorship programs in leadership provided invaluable guidance and support as I pursue my personal and career goals. With a wealth of resources, clubs, and extracurricular activities at my disposal, I am not just encouraged but also given the tools to flourish and develop as an individual.

What truly sets Tuck apart is its empowering atmosphere. I had the freedom to chart my own course and chase my dreams, particularly in support of underrepresented communities. Tuck offered opportunities to connect with mentors who shared my vision, propelling me towards success. Furthermore, integrating my personal values into my academic pursuits was actively encouraged, allowing me to explore these themes in my coursework and extracurricular activities.

Here, you'll find unwavering support, encouragement, and endless opportunities to explore your passions and beliefs. Prepare to uncover the authentic “you era.”

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Ta-Von Wilson, CPA T’24

As I think about what DivCo means to me, I can’t help but think about the word potential. It’s my sincere hope that when our DivCo attendees visit Hanover, they’ll realize there is a potential in the halls of Tuck to make their lives whatever they desire. This is far bigger than a career pivot or job placement. The Tuck experience is many things, but chief among them, is a once-in-a-lifetime-experience for students to look within themselves, identify what their potential is, and be encouraged (if not challenged) to make it manifest.

For some of our attendees, this may be warmly welcomed and immediately accepted. Others may find this intimidating and have doubts and insecurities. When I first came to Tuck, admittedly, I found myself in the latter camp. This year’s theme is an open hand to those attendees.

As a co-chair, it is my promise that while you are here, you will be seen and be heard. You will be given the space and support to wrestle with your own thoughts and feelings, while meeting others who may be having a similar experience. At the end of our time together, you’ll begin to realize a potential within you that is possibly greater than you may have ever imagined.

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Hilde Tineo T’24

When I started researching Tuck back in 2021, there were a few recurring themes that kept emerging in my conversations with students, admission officers, and alumni. I kept hearing about the tight-knit community and the impossibility of being anonymous within the school over and over again.

At some point, I began to wonder if there was some sort of hidden script everyone was following. However, when I finally had the chance to visit the campus during DivCo in 2021, everything fell into place. It became abundantly clear that while the more rural location and the smaller class sizes certainly create a conducive environment, it's the individuals who choose to be here that make all the difference. We all come with a genuine intention to forge meaningful relationships, and that's what truly defines the essence of this community.

Now, let's fast forward two years, and as a second-year student, I can assure you that there’s no script. Instead, I've experienced countless moments where I felt like I truly belonged because I was seen and heard. But just to mention a few: Tuck is the kind of place where everyone makes the effort to get your name just right; where your classmates send you encouraging texts when they spot your name on the board for a cold call in Econ telling you that you’ll crush it; and where you bump into professors at the farmers market who not only remember where you interned over the summer, but also ask you about your latest run because they never miss an opportunity to give you a kudos on Strava.

Words can only convey so much. That's why we can't wait to have you join us at Tuck so you can experience it firsthand and can start collecting those nuggets of belonging yourself!