In a move toward fostering diversity and inclusion in business education, Clark University’s School of Business has announced its new status as a ROMBA (Reaching Out MBA) school.

Over its 20-year history, ROMBA “has grown to include a range of programming that educates, inspires, and connects an increasingly diverse LGBTQ+ MBA community,” the organization notes. As a member school, the School of Business will select up to two incoming MBA students each year as ROMBA Fellows — one for the fall semester, the other for the spring semester.

The Fellows will receive a tuition scholarship and participate in the prestigious ROMBA Fellowship Retreat, as well as have free admission to all other ROMBA events and access to a network of Fellows, alumni, club leaders, and corporate partners. In addition, Clark will join an elite group of just 67 ROMBA schools and be featured in the organization’s recruitment events.

The path to becoming a ROMBA school began in February 2023, when Laura Burgess, assistant dean of the Clark School of Business, saw an opportunity to advance the University’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ students in a way that aligns the institution’s core values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect. With input from Amy Daly Gardner, director of graduate admissions, the two agreed that joining ROMBA would be a more formal way to affirm this commitment, particularly in light of anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives being pushed across the country.

Burgess and her colleagues acknowledged that this partnership would be an important step toward broader advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Worcester and Clark communities.

“ROMBA is a wonderful program to encourage diversity in both the business school classroom and the world of MBAs,” Burgess said. “We are excited to be able to better support a population that is underrepresented in upper-level executive positions in business.”

Margo Foreman, vice president and chief executive officer of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Clark, noted the significance of the ROMBA status. “We are thrilled that Clark University’s School of Business has been recognized as a ROMBA school,” Foreman said. “This distinction not only underscores our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment but also highlights our dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ students in their pursuit of business education and leadership. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our community and drive innovation, and we look forward to continuing to champion these values in all aspects of our academic and professional programs.”

Students interested in applying to Clark’s MBA program and the ROMBA fellowship should contact gradadmissions@clarku.edu to determine the current availability of fellowship slots.