Our Crowdfunding Groups
***Update: All gifts to the Haas Thrive Fellows will be matched dollar for dollar up to $13,000!***
Early MBA pipeline program targeting underrepresented racial/ethnic groups with a specific focus on the Latinx community.
The benefits of earning an MBA from a top-ranked business school are profound—it allows students to future-ready their careers, explore new industries or functions, accelerate their career path, and expand and diversify their networks. Yet fewer and fewer students from underrepresented racial groups are applying to MBA programs around the country. This year, less than 8% of Berkeley Haas MBA students identified as Hispanic or Latino.
UC Berkeley is committed to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution by 2028. As a public institution, Berkeley Haas has an obligation to work against systemic racism and build more justice into our society, reflecting the demographics of our state and country. And as business leaders, we believe that more representation in business by Latinx MBA graduates will change the world by strengthening our business cases and decisions. New discoveries won't be found on the same well-worn paths—we need new ideas, perspectives and approaches. We are excited to develop a pipeline program to bring Berkeley Haas in alignment with the UC Berkeley Latinx-thriving Initiative.
Project Description
The purpose of this program is to educate, prepare and motivate individuals to apply and succeed at a top business school and support their career advancement. We hope to reverse the trend in declining applications from underrepresented racial groups by making it easier for students to apply to graduate school and by offering information on the benefits of pursuing graduate education. This experience will help rising college seniors through those completing their second year of employment expand their network and build their leadership skills. Participants will attend in-person and virtual sessions hosted by Berkeley Haas which will include various activities and services.
Program Components
The program is designed to be a one-year program meeting monthly with an opportunity for additional engagement over time.
The program will offer curriculum on:
It will include:
Target Audience
The program will reach a range of participants: rising college seniors through those completing their second year of employment. There are MBA prep opportunities for URM candidates, but very few that work with early career individuals or focus on the broader conversation around graduate education. The program will offer networking training, career navigation workshops, and other opportunities to ensure participants have the tools necessary to be successful graduate school applicants.
Other contributors to this project
This project has a strong base of internal support and will leverage partnerships across Berkeley Haas including the Haas Career Management Group, Financial Aid Office, and Alumni Relations. Two companies have expressed interest in supporting the test preparation component with discounted fees on test prep and waivers.
Timeline for the initiative and expected date of completion
With your support we can launch this program in the summer of 2023 and the program will begin in the fall. If successful, we hope to make this an annual program.
The transformative opportunity of attending Haas should be an accessible, compelling choice for students from all backgrounds. We ask you to support our goal of increasing representation for Latinx students at Haas and creating a pipeline for more equitable representation in business.
Show your support for increasing Latinx representation at Haas.
Demonstrate your involvement in creating equal opportunity for others.
Make a lasting commitment to racial justice and equity.
Maximize your impact with a gift that will open doors for future Latinx leaders.
