School of Business DEIB staff spotlight: Dyamond Ross
Dyamond Ross (she/her) is the school’s DEIB pre-collegiate program coordinator
From pre-collegiate programming to workshops and summits, the KU School of Business Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) staff support students before, during and after their time at the School of Business and KU.
Dyamond Ross (she/her) joined the School of Business in spring 2021. She leads the school’s Summer Venture in Business program, a pre-college summer academy for underrepresented students in high school and/or potential first-generation college students who are interested in business. The program, now in its eighth year, continues to grow and introduce students to the possibilities at the School of Business.
First off, introduce yourself.
My name is Dyamond Ross (she/her), and I currently serve as a student program coordinator on the DEIB team in the School of Business. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Murray State University in Kentucky. I received my Master of Science in education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in college student personnel administration.
How did you get involved with DEIB at KU School of Business?
I’ve always had a strong passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, especially throughout my time in graduate school. After graduation, I actively looked for higher education roles, specifically in DEI, and this role caught my attention, so I applied and made it to the interview process. Everyone I met with during the interview process spoke so highly of KU and the School of Business, and I knew that if I got the offer, I would be coming to KU.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my role is that I get the opportunity to work with our pre-college students and help them find their way to the college/university that fits best for them and their needs. One of the main reasons that I went into higher education is because I wanted to help get students from similar backgrounds as me to college and help them navigate the college experience successfully, and this role allows me to do just that.
How does the DEIB team and its programming help students?
DEIB programming and initiatives are unique in the sense that not only do we help students with marginalized identities feel celebrated on campus, but we also get to expose people of various identities to other cultures that they may have not understood or explored before. DEIB initiatives are also important in providing exposure to a real-world experience; when our students leave KU, they’ll be able to gain the skills necessary for navigating the everyday world, which is full of diversity.
What’s one thing that you want people to know about the DEIB team?
The DEIB team is a resource. We provide lots of opportunities for networking engagements and professional development, whether those opportunities are on-campus or off-campus. If a student is interested in exploring a diversity of topics or spaces, we can provide that opportunity and enhance their overall development as future business professionals.
If you could give students any piece of advice, what would it be?
Diversify your experiences as a college student. Be okay with being uncomfortable and learning about things that you never thought you would want to learn about. It will open the doors to opportunities and experiences that you would have never imagined, and at the end, you will have knowledge or a skill set that some of your peers may not possess. That’s invaluable when you’re networking or interviewing for roles that interest you.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
We’re always looking to expand and grow the initiatives that come from our office. If there are students out there who may not have connected with our team in the past but have a passion for DEI work, please connect with us. We would be happy to hear from our students about what type of things they would like to see done in the School of Business, specifically around DEI and increasing belonging for all students.
Applications are now open for both 2024 Summer Venture in Business sessions. If you know a high school student who may be interested, please direct them to business.ku.edu/svb.
Students are invited to attend the 2024 Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership Summit on Friday, March 8. Learn more at business.ku.edu/ideals.
Visit business.ku.edu/deib for more information about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the School of Business.
Ross can be reached at dyross@ku.edu or in Room 1030A in Capitol Federal Hall.
