Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at the Wharton School

At Wharton, we are focused on building a faculty, student body and staff reflective of the world’s
richness of identity and thought.  We strive to create an atmosphere where the entire Wharton community is empowered to do their best work, to bring their authentic selves to their efforts both locally and globally, and to make an impact in the business world.

A commitment to diversity can yield the greatest impact in places where everyone feels welcome to contribute, and confident they will be heard – where everyone has room to belong. This type of impact is not achieved through one-time measures, which is why Wharton works consistently and continually to bring this mission to the forefront of our efforts. Ensuring the charge is intentionally woven through the fabric of our activities is our ongoing objective, with the goal of creating an institution we are all proud to call our own.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Wharton: A Closer Look

Through dozens of events, programs, partnerships, and organizations, we are continuously working to build a dynamic and purposeful community.

Fostering diversity among faculty and throughout coursework

  • Wharton is a member of The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, which provides resources and support around integrating into the faculty body and achieving work-life balance.
  • Wharton is among the PhD Project’s expansive network of supporters, sponsors, and universities who help underrepresented minorities attain their business PhD and become the business professors who will mentor the next generation of leaders.
  • Wharton’s Initiatives for Teaching And Learning Excellence encourages professors to consider diversity and representation when creating their academic programs.
  • The Wharton School’s innovative partnership with Morgan State University, an historically black university in Baltimore, is a mutually beneficial exchange of business education resources and insight into the value that diversity brings to the business world.

Expanding opportunities for diverse leaders through non-degree programs

Initiating conversations through conferences and events

Leveraging the Power of Penn

  • As an integral member of the Penn community, the Wharton School shares the university’s commitment to understanding and appreciating diversity. Penn has become a best-practice model in this arena, and its leadership informs and enriches our own efforts to foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
  • The Penn Program for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to take an interdisciplinary approach to a variety of topics concerning gender, race, sexuality, and women in society, culture, history, and language.
  • The Penn Women’s Center promotes gender justice and empowers, supports, and advances personal and professional development for women and female identified persons. Students, staff, and faculty of all genders and identities are welcome.
  • La Casa Latina is the Center for Hispanic Excellence. Not only is it a supportive environment where all students are welcomed and engaged, it also plays a role in promoting greater awareness of Latinx issues, culture, and identity at Penn.
  • The University welcomes differently abled students and is committed to providing the same exceptional opportunities to all Penn students.
  • Critical to diversity on campus is our location within the diverse city of Philadelphia, whose business community has the opportunity to lead the nation by example and make the case for why inclusion of all races, ethnicities, sexual identities, and abilities is good for business.

Our Partnerships

Logo of AltFinance with the tagline "Investing in Black futures," featuring an abstract orange design to the left of the text.

AltFinance is an industry-first initiative designed to diversify the alternative investment industry by attracting, training, and providing career opportunities for students attending three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Founding firms Apollo Global Management, Inc., Ares Management Corporation, and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. contributed $90 million to the 10-year initiative. In collaboration, Wharton’s AltFinance virtual institute offers educational materials and tools for HBCU students to excel in the industry.

Logo of the National Education Equity Lab featuring a red upward arrow above the text, symbolizing progress and educational equity.

The National Education Equity Lab, a national education justice nonprofit funded by the Gates Foundation, brings college credit-bearing courses from the nation’s top colleges to high school students in historically underserved communities. In collaboration, Wharton is designing and delivering customized courses to select students and high schools around the country.

The image shows the text "NINETY TO ZERO" in a minimalist design.

Ninety To Zero provides a roadmap for companies and organizations to drive change now with a goal of eliminating the 90% racial wealth gap between white and Black Americans. Wharton, the lead research partner, is joined by renowned organizations including Goldman Sachs, Starbucks, ACLU, McKinsey & Company, and Children’s Defense Fund in a collective effort to advance racial equity.

Logo for Steppingstone Scholars, featuring a blue abstract design above the text.

Steppingstone Scholars connects low-income Philadelphia students with a series of academic enrichment activities throughout their middle and high school years. In partnership, Steppingstone is supporting students to apply to Wharton’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program, an academically intensive dual-enrollment opportunity for high school juniors and seniors.

 IMPROVING WORKPLACE CULTURE THROUGH                

Evidence-Based Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices