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Diversity at Darden

MBA - Diversity at Darden - Underrepresented Minorities

Underrepresented Minorities

Learn about the partnerships, events, community resources and contacts for underrepresented minority MBA students.

  • Partnerships

    Diversity Partnerships & Alliances

    Darden partners with a variety of diversity organizations that strive to increase the representation of minorities, women and other populations historically underrepresented in business and MBA programs.

    The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

    The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is the country’s preeminent organization for promoting diversity and inclusion in American business. Through an annual competition, member schools award merit-based, full-tuition fellowships to America’s best and brightest diverse candidates. The Consortium has built a legacy of fostering inclusion and changing the ethnic and cultural face of American business.

    If you are a Consortium applicant and would like to learn more about applying to Darden via the Consortium, please visit our Consortium Application Process page.

    Access

    Access (formerly Admit.me) is a free MBA admissions resource tailored for women and URMs. Its focus is helping prospective students through the admissions process by providing resources created by top MBA grads and admissions representatives.

    If you are an Acess Fellow, you are eligible for an application fee waiver for Darden's Full-Time MBA program. The waiver will be applied automatically upon submission of your application. You do not need to provide any further payment information.

    Graduate Horizons

    Graduate Horizons is a four-day workshop for Native college students, college graduates and master's students in preparing for graduate school (master's, Ph.D. or professional school). Graduate Horizons partners with 45 university graduate/professional degree programs where admission officers, professors and deans mentor and advise students on the admissions process, professional/career development and the various fields of study, research and graduate programs available.

    JumpStart Advisory Group

    JumpStart Advisory Group (JSAG) provides professional development opportunities for women and minority students exploring careers in consulting, financial services and management. Through JumpStart Diversity Forums and customized on-site training sessions, JSAG offers students the kind of insight, education and exposure to industry professionals that creates a powerful competitive edge.

    Management Leadership for Tomorrow

    A national nonprofit organization, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), has made groundbreaking progress to correct the dramatic underrepresentation of minorities in leadership positions. MLT works to increase the number of minorities in institutions that develop talent, such as first-tier business schools and high-profile companies.

    If you are an MLT MBA Prep Fellow, you are eligible for an application fee waiver for Darden's Full-Time MBA program. The waiver will be applied automatically upon submission of your application. You do not need to provide any further payment information.

    National Society of Hispanic MBAs

    Darden is an official university partner for the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA). NSHMBA works to prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the United States so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse work force. NSHMBA serves 28 chapters and 6,000 members in the United States and Puerto Rico.

    National Black MBA Association

    The National Black MBA Association is dedicated to creating partnerships that result in creating intellectual and economic wealth in the black community. In partnership with over 400 of the country’s top business organizations, the association has inroads into a wide range of industries as well as the public and private sector.

    The Ph.D. Project

    The PhD Project's expansive network helps African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans attain their business PhD, become business professors and mentor the next generation. As faculty, they serve as role models, attracting and mentoring minority students while improving the preparation of all students for our diverse workplace and society.

    Riordan MBA Fellows

    The Riordan Scholars Program is a pioneering career-based outreach program that motivates high school students from diverse backgrounds and under-served communities to consider and prepare for careers in management through education, mentorship and professional development.

    Teach for America

    The Darden School partners with Teach for America to provide the following opportunities for corps members:

    • Two-year deferral for students who are admitted to the program and choose to join Teach For America (applicable to incoming corps members and exiting corps members who apply during their two years of service)
    • Waives application fee for exiting corps members who apply during their two-year commitment

    Ten School Diversity Alliance

    The mission of the Ten School Diversity Alliance is to have an impact on and influence the diversity of MBA campuses, organizations and the global community. It also strives to increase awareness of and participation in graduate management education by underrepresented populations.

    Toigo Foundation

    The Robert Toigo Foundation has worked to change the face of the financial services industry. Bob and Sue Toigo, active leaders in the industry through business and political work, created the Financial Services Fellowship (FSF) to increase opportunities for minorities in the field.

  • Events

    Diversity Events

    Darden students, alumni and faculty host and attend a variety of diversity-related events and conferences each year.

    National Black MBA Conference at Darden

    The annual National Black MBA Conference is an important networking and recruiting event for Darden students and alumni. To learn more about the event, visit the Black Business Student Forum (BBSF).

    International Food Festival at Darden

    One of Darden’s most popular and largest student-run social events, the International Food Festival brings together students, faculty and staff to enjoy delicious food and drinks from around the world. The Darden Global Business & Culture Club hosts the annual event, which is always a culinary and cultural delight. To learn more, watch the following video:

  • Student Clubs

    Student Affinity Clubs

    Darden has a wide range of affinity student organizations that serve to enhance the quality of MBA student life. The clubs organize events for the Darden Community and provide resources and support throughout business school.

    You can also view the complete list of student organizations.

  • UVA Resources