Barbara A. Lofton, Assistant Dean of the Sam M. Walton School of Business, has joined the School of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Partnership and will serve as its conference co-ambassador.
Assistant Dean of Dr. Barbara Lofton. The Barbara A. Lofton Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Sam Walton School of Business is known for advancing diversity and inclusion across many facets of minority students, faculty and staff at Walton College. Now, she has expanded her reach by helping to grow a national organization and joining the board of directors of the Business School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Partnership.
Lofton will serve as a conference co-ambassador for the Business School DEI Partnership Committee, which plans to “advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education by helping professional development, impacting curriculum, and promoting research and services in the DEI space” at business schools across the country.
Lofton is no stranger to promoting diversity and inclusion at U of A and other schools throughout the Southeastern Conference. Since 1996, she has served as Director of the Office of Diversity at Walton College. Established in 1994, the office is the oldest diversity office in the SEC Business School. So Lofton traveled to the SEC’s other business schools to encourage, train, and advise other business schools on how to implement diversity and inclusion strategies on campus.
“With her extensive experience supporting diversity and inclusion at the Walton Institute, Dr. Lofton is an excellent member of the Board of Trustees,” said Walton Institute President Matt Waller. “She brings expertise, talent and, most importantly, a passion for leveling the playing field in and out of school.”
“I hope other higher education entities will take a bold step to make diversity and inclusion a major part of their organizations and accrediting bodies,” Lofton said. “Some organizations and accrediting bodies have made diversity and inclusion a part of its structure, but embedding these requirements will lead to better outcomes for our higher education institutions as a positive move in this area.”
The mission of the Business School DEI Collaborative is “to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education by hosting conferences to discuss best practices and programs, awarding awards, and providing resources for educators and businesspeople interested in increasing historic opportunities. and belonging. Underrepresented groups.”
Learn more about collaboration by visiting www.busdeic.org.
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