Tuck Releases DEI Strategic Review and Action Plan

“Tuck develops wise, decisive leaders who better the world through business. Among the attributes of wisdom are the inclusivity and empathy to understand and work effectively with others,” Draper and Slaughter wrote in their announcement. “Core to decisiveness is the ability to thoughtfully seize opportunities to improve the world in which we live. Critical to fulfilling our school’s mission is fostering a culture that honors diversity in all its forms, welcomes each person as they are, and provides the opportunities to engage in respectful, growth-oriented discussion and learning.”

It was just one year ago when Tuck announced that Draper would become the first Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Tuck School. Draper assumed the role full-time January 1, 2021, and in her portfolio was a charge to assess Tuck’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion; work with teams across the school to develop recommendations to ensure the inclusion of underrepresented perspectives; and guide Tuck’s DEI plans forward, facilitating the setting of goals and the benchmarking of progress.

Over the last nine months, a working group and an advisory team of students, alumni, faculty, and staff partnered with Draper to conduct a comprehensive strategic review of Tuck’s culture, climate, and engagement with DEI. Hundreds of MBA students, alumni, faculty, and staff participated in surveys and interviews during this review process. They shared their experiences and feedback about the Tuck community’s social norms, the curriculum, student recruitment, employee recruitment and retention, and co-curricular activities. This intensive process informed the data-driven and people-centered approach to Tuck’s DEI Action Plan.

With the DEI Action Plan now released, Draper and Slaughter announced that next steps will include assembling the inaugural Inclusion, Diversity, Equity in Action Committee (IDEA) which they will both chair. This group will include students, partners, staff, faculty, and alumni; it will serve as an advisory body as Tuck takes meaningful action around the key objectives within the three focus areas. Appointments of members to this committee will begin this month, and when finalized will be posted on the DEI website.

“We have reached this milestone—composing and releasing a plan—together, through the collective efforts of all of our School,” say Draper and Slaughter. “While there is much to do, we are proud of the progress thus far and we look forward to continuing this work and striving for inclusive excellence as a community.”