School of Business DEIB Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Robinson
Jennifer Robinson (she/they) is the school’s DEIB administrative associate.
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.
Jennifer Robinson (she/they) joined the school in fall 2023 and is a proud KU alumna who loves spreading her passion for DEIB programming at the School of Business.
Get to know Robinson, and learn more about the school’s DEIB initiatives.
First off, introduce yourself.
Hi! My name is Jennifer Robinson (she/they), and I currently serve as an administrative associate on the DEIB team in the School of Business. I was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and was raised in KCK, California, Texas, and Olathe, Kansas. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language and deaf studies from the University of Kansas.
How did you get involved with DEIB at KU School of Business?
Since I was a child, I was always interested in learning about different cultures and languages, due to living and going to school in diverse communities. In high school, I was a part of the multicultural club and began to learn ASL from a family friend. In college, I studied sociology and learned how to be an ally to the Deaf community, which expanded my knowledge, interests and passion for potential DEIB educational and career opportunities. Luckily, I saw this role posted, and it aligned with my DEIB career goals; so I applied and was hired. The interview process was so positive and welcoming at the business school, which made the decision easy to accept this role. I feel proud to work at KU.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my role is providing support to the DEIB program coordinators and students in our DEIB programs and initiatives. My personal motto is “to be the positive change you wish to see in the world,” and I believe I am fulfilling that ideology in my role at KU. DEIB will always be a passion of mine, and it fills my heart to work in the DEIB field and serve deserving students in the hopes of a more DEIB-focused and enriched college experience.
How does the DEIB team and its programming help students?
The DEIB team’s programming and initiatives support, celebrate and educate students with marginalized identities before, during and after their time at the School of Business. While students are at KU, we are dedicated to providing support, engaging programming and initiatives, networking, mentorship, scholarships, new perspectives and real-world knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in their personal and professional endeavors. We aim to ensure our students are prepared for the workforce or to achieve their post-collegiate goals, with the skills, connections and DEIB perspectives necessary to be successful.
What’s one thing that you want people to know about the DEIB team?
We are such a rich resource for all students and staff at the School of Business! We have great programs and initiatives on top of the MSP Scholars Program in Business (MBSP) and Summer Venture in Business (SVB), such as DEIB summits, conferences and events, DEIB training or workshops upon request and to act as a DEIB resource for those at the School of Business. We suggest DEIB recommendations and strategies for the betterment of student, staff and faculty KU experience.
If you could give students any piece of advice, what would it be?
Nurture yourself. Whether that entails how you do self-care, pursuing educational and personal interests, learning about new and diverse perspectives, becoming comfortable in the uncomfortableness of new people, cultures and experiences, leaning on your supportive family and friends or finding time for fun and laughter. Always remember to take care and love yourself, and it’s okay to not be okay.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Be on the lookout for our upcoming event, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, Leadership Summit (IDEALS) on March 8 in Capitol Federal Hall.
Registration is now open for the 2024 IDEALS, set for Friday, March 8. All KU students are encouraged to attend; 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.
Robinson can be reached at jenrobinson@ku.edu or in Room 1030F of Capitol Federal Hall.
By Lauryn Zebrowski
