As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to remind ourselves of Notre Dame’s commitment diversity and inclusivity:

We affirm the transcendent dignity and worth of every human person, from conception to natural death, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic group, religious tradition, gender, socioeconomic class, immigration status, sexual orientation, or anything else.

At Mendoza, diversity and inclusivity are foundational to our imperative to Grow the Good in Business™, to live in solidarity and create a culture where we succeed together. This extends across the College, to faculty policies that seek to diversify our candidate pool and successfully hire faculty from underrepresented groups, including minority and female faculty; to the recruitment and support of underrepresented students; and to the establishment of a workplace culture that recognizes the well-being of each person as vital to the well-being of all.

We’ve made strides in diversity and inclusion through initiatives such as our support for the PhD Project, which has as its mission to increase the diversity of business school faculty. Other efforts include the events sponsored by Notre Dame MBA Diversity Committee and related clubs, and the Building Bridges Mentorship Program, which assists Notre Dame’s underrepresented student population by matching them with faculty from the departments that the students wish to explore as possible majors.

A number of people in the College play a formal role in our diversity initiatives, including Jim Seida, who serves as Mendoza’s faculty diversity advocate. I’m thankful to the many of you who personally contribute to building a diverse and inclusive community.

If you were not able to attend the University’s MLK luncheon today, I encourage you to watch the video of keynote speaker Diane Nash, a true civil rights pioneer who was a Freedom Rider and co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The University has events planned throughout Walk the Walk Week. Please attend as your schedule allows.

In Notre Dame,

Martijn