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Defining Goizueta’s diversity mission
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| Alicia E. Sierra became Goizueta Business School’s Director of Diversity and Community Initiatives in the Dean’s Office last January, bringing her unique vision to this important post. With an extensive resume in recruitment and diversity, Sierra’s efforts at Goizueta stress the value of partnership, resulting in collaborations with students, faculty, professional organizations, companies, and other universities to ensure a diverse MBA pool. In this Q&A with Sierra, she talks about her new role at Goizueta. |
Q: What led to you assuming this newly created position?
Sierra: I began my career at Emory in the Rollins School of Public Health, where I served as Director of Student Services in 1991. I joined Goizueta MBA Admissions Office in July 1995, where my most recent role was Associate Director of MBA Admissions and Manager for Diversity Recruitment. It was there where I spearheaded the creation of the Inside Goizueta Diversity Conference in 1997. I continue to act as an advisor for this ongoing recruiting event. I was also on the team that led the school to pursue its membership in the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.
Q: Can you tell us the wording of Goizueta Business School’s Diversity Vision Statement?
Sierra: “We aspire to create and sustain a community at Goizueta that is the best place to study and work. In support of this goal, we are committed to be a destination where all are respected, supported and valued.”
Q. When compared to other universities, where do you think Goizueta stands as far as its diversity recruiting efforts?
Sierra: We are one of the forerunners in this area. We are making sure that our efforts and our vision are out there and prominent. If you choose to study at a university or embark on a leadership role there, you shouldn’t have to search for that commitment. It’s fine to have a diversity vision, but if there is no substance, then it really doesn’t mean anything.
Q: Can you talk a bit about the Diversity Committee at Goizueta and its mission?
Sierra: The committee is made up of Goizueta faculty, staff, students and myself. At this time, the biggest job for the committee is to develop a comprehensive diversity and community strategy for the School. I think that the most important element of this plan is our goal of being a destination business school. I believe that being respected and supported is a key part of it.
Q: What role do you think having a diverse student body plays in making a great business school?
Sierra: What is the value in attending a school where everyone has the same experiences and backgrounds? A diverse student body can only make a business school better. Most students come to business school to learn something new, enhance their business skills, broaden themselves, and become leaders. A diverse student body makes a business school even better because it allows students to learn new perspectives on business practices from students from all over the world. Students learn to really listen and respect differing viewpoints and are better prepared to live and work in an increasingly diverse and global society. It is extremely important that our students are exposed to people from different backgrounds, experiences, ethnicities, genders, and religions so that when they leave Goizueta they are better, more well rounded people and effective business leaders. I believe that, at the end of the day, a diverse student body will help us reach our goal of becoming a model business school.
—Myra A. Thomas