Both higher education and the business community are finding that managing diversity is not a simple task, nor is it one with a single set of objectives. Issues of diversity are complex, yet must be addressed in order to create a climate where students and employees can reach their full potential. Participants included CEOs and college pres idents. The Roundtables explored the ways in which corporations are successfully engaging diversity at all levels of their organizations and examined current efforts in higher education to prepare students for this new workplace environment. The goal of the Roundtable series was to strengthen the links between diversity efforts in the business and higher education communities.
Early results indicate success.
For example, one college president invited a corporate CEO to join her board of trustees. Another CEO discovered that while his firm had invested in an expensive training program, an identical program existed at his local community college. Connections like these are mutually beneficial to business and to higher education and help to foster greater understanding and cooperation for each other's diversity efforts. A Roundtable on your campus offers many benefits. It strengthens the links between area businesses, colleges and universities.