2018
- Faculty Inclusive Excellence conferences are held.
Babson College’s Journey to Inclusive Excellence
Since our founding, Babson College has recognized the importance of embracing cultures and perspectives from around the world.
As the global leader in entrepreneurial leadership, Babson is uniquely positioned to foster an innovative and inclusive approach to business education. Our community understands that entrepreneurial leaders come from a wide array of backgrounds, and that this richness fuels learning, innovation, and global impact.
In 2020, we expressed our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the College’s values and within our Critical Few Objectives, which guide the strategic mission of the College. In 2023, we added “belonging” to this strategic initiative to reflect its importance to the success of all members of the Babson community.
In 2024, our focus shifted to Inclusive Excellence which guides our commitment to integrating a wide range of experiences and perspectives into our proven approach to entrepreneurial education. That means we are a community that supports respectful debate, the convergence of ideas, and the positive, collaborative environment that thrives when everyone believes they are an essential, vital part of it.
Advancing Innovation and Impact Through Inclusive Excellence
In May 2025, Board of Trustees officially endorsed Babson’s definition of Inclusive Excellence as:
Inclusive Excellence is a dynamic, ongoing commitment to fostering a community defined by respect, dignity, and shared accountability.
Inclusive Excellence affirms the value of every member of the Babson community, and respects different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. It embraces a global and open-minded cultural outlook as essential to entrepreneurial leadership and both academic and institutional excellence.
It calls for thinking beyond preconceived labels and advancing practices that promote belonging, and the flourishing of all members.
It is measured through purposeful assessment and evaluation of mission-aligned impact—including the value of a Babson education—and upheld through a collective responsibility to align actions with values.
As the global leader in entrepreneurial leadership, Babson is uniquely positioned to foster an innovative and inclusive approach to business education. We believe that entrepreneurial leaders thrive in an environment that reflects the diverse, interconnected world in which they live and lead.
Babson’s Journey Toward Inclusive Excellence
2019
- Babson’s Strategic goal is expanded to include Equity and Inclusion.
- Ongoing Commitment: for decades, Babson continued to integrate diverse experiences and viewpoints into entrepreneurship education.
2020
- The Dean of Faculty Inclusive Excellence Committee is formed.
- Reflections in annual Critical Few Objectives.
2023
- The term “Belonging” is added to the DEIB strategic initiative to reflect its importance on the success, learning and engagement of all members of the community.
- Babson hosts its first Inclusive Excellence Summit.
2024
- Inclusive Excellence—We strengthened this commitment by evolving its approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, ensuring alignment with Babson’s core values and mission.
- Babson hosts its second annual Inclusive Excellence Summit.
2025
- Babson adopts a definition for Inclusive Excellence.
- Babson hosts its third annual Inclusive Excellence Summit.
Through initiatives and events, such as our Inclusive Excellence Summit, we continuously celebrate and learn from the richness of the Babson community and the positive impact we can have when we come together.
Entrepreneurial leadership is designed to propel professionals, businesses, and industries forward. We expect the Babson community to share this culture of excellence, and work together to educate and support the entire community. By embracing Inclusive Excellence, entrepreneurial leaders will thrive in a variety of careers, environments, and fields.
Babson College educates entrepreneurial leaders from around the world and empowers them to create social and economic value everywhere. We know that we are at our best when we embrace different perspectives, backgrounds, and beliefs, and we are committed to being a welcoming community that is proud to continuously learn from one another while making the world a better place.”
Our Goals
Culture
This reflects the attitudes and intellectual manifestations of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- Create, foster, and preserve an inclusive and welcoming cultural climate for all
- Create an organizational structure to support our Inclusive Excellence goals, as well as promote opportunity for all members of our global community.
Curriculum
This includes the subject matter we teach in the classroom.
- Ensure faculty development, classroom experience curriculum, and cocurricular experiences support our mission and strategic goals
- Foster, promote, and support resources and research advancing our mission
Community
This encompasses the Babson fellowship of people from students, faculty, and staff to alumni and members of partner organizations.
- Attract, recruit, develop, and retain a global student body of rich perspectives and varied backgrounds
- Attract, recruit, develop, and retain faculty, staff, and leaders with varied perspectives and backgrounds
- Engage and support external partners in initiatives advancing our mission
- Communicate and celebrate efforts, events, initiatives, and individuals advancing Inclusive Excellence for Babson College and the Babson community worldwide
Resources
Babson has a wide variety of community support systems and educational resources for our students, faculty, and staff to strengthen and advance Inclusive Excellence.
The Office of Belonging and Inclusion (OBI) is a predominant driver of our Inclusive Excellence strategy throughout the student body and is dedicated to empowering an inclusive campus community. Through events, programming, and resources, OBI ensures Babson is a place where each student experiences a deep sense of belonging and acceptance.
As part of this essential community building, we hold educational events that celebrate and support one another as well as provide space for idea sharing and conversations. Programs & Events include our annual Inclusive Excellence Summit and Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day.
Babson students have over 100 clubs and organizations to join and lead as part of the student experience, and our students also are encouraged to create their own clubs. Our Undergraduate student-run organizations and Graduate student-run organizations provide students with spaces to express themselves culturally, artistically, and beyond, as well as opportunities to grow socially and make friends.
Campus Highlights
We encourage students to embrace their backgrounds and follow their own Babson experience. Our rich academic and student experiences provide students with an authentic, varied experience and introduce them to many voices on campus.
Babson Students Reflect on Finding Diverse Solutions to Business Problems
Four Babson undergraduate students recently presented on how to diversify the field of accounting at the Kelley School of Business National Diversity Case Competition at Indiana University.
Living Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream at Babson College
In his essay, Sevyn Williams ’25, vice president of the Black Student Union at Babson College, reflects on how MLK’s vision has inspired him and created opportunities to succeed and pursue his own dreams.
For First-Generation Students, New Initiatives and Office Bring Resources to the Forefront
The Office of First-Generation Student Success provides mentorship, professional development, community building, and emotional support resources for students.
Babson Pride’s Ethan Ide ’26 Unites Campus and Community at Boston Pride Parade
Babson Pride President Ethan Ide ’26 organized a celebration at Boston’s Pride Parade, marking 40 years of LGBTQ+ support at Babson.
From Acceptance to Leadership: The Personal Journey of Babson’s SGA President
After facing personal challenges as a teen, Jolie Wyatt ’26 came to Babson, where she found acceptance and became an entrepreneurial leader.
Women & Allies Leadership Program Opens up a World of Opportunity
Igeme Ezenwata, née Egwu, recently participated in a cohort of the Leadership Program for Women & Allies. She hoped to gain a new professional perspective. What she got was a new career.