Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
"At the Eller College of Management, the DEI Office and the DEI Committee together embrace the power of collective action to drive lasting change. Guided by the Eller IDEAL principles—Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Leadership—we commit to cultivating a culture of unity, empowerment, and excellence. Our mission extends beyond education; it’s about creating, impacting, and sustaining positive change."
–Cortez Smith Assistant Dean, DEI
The Eller IDEAL
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Inclusion: Actively seek diverse perspectives, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Inclusion is not just a goal; it’s our foundation.
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Diversity: Celebrate the richness of our community by embracing differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, and backgrounds. Diversity fuels innovation and broadens our horizons.
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Equity: Strive for fairness and justice, addressing systemic barriers and promoting equal opportunities for all. Equity is not negotiable; it’s our compass.
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Accessibility: Remove obstacles and create an environment where everyone can thrive. Accessible spaces, resources, and support are integral to our mission.
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Leadership: Empower leaders who champion DEI, fostering a ripple effect that transforms our institution and beyond. Leadership is not a title; it’s a responsibility.
Faculty Spotlight: Cortez Smith
Assistant Dean, DEI
Manager in Business Consulting
Cortez Smith joined the business consulting team as manager in September 2017. In his role, Smith assists the executive director in facilitating business engagements, recruiting project sponsors, developing new business relationships, strategic planning, student advising, and co-instructing the business consulting course. He has worked at the University of Arizona for 17 years in various leadership roles and has 18 years of Information Technology work experience in the private sector.
Faculty Governance Committee
- Carlos J. Alsua, McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship
- Heather Altman, Accounting
- Veronica Atondo*, Undergraduate Programs
- Alice Bonaime, Finance
- Megan Forristall*, Graduate Programs
- Michael Mandel, Chair, Business Communication
- Gabriela Nkeze, Undergraduate Student
- Juan Pantano, Economics
- Mark W. Patton, Management Information Systems
- Ayusha Pendse, Graduate Student
- Martin Reimann, Marketing
- Katina Sawyer, Management and Organization
- Cortez Smith*, Assistant Dean, DEI
*ex officio committee member
Accommodations at the Eller College of Management
All Gender Restroom | McClelland Hall 212
Changing Station (Men's Restroom) | McClelland Hall 205
Changing Station (Women's Restroom) |McClelland Hall 206
We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships and community service.
Awards
Congratulations to our winners!
| YEAR | UNDERGRADUATE | GRADUATE | STAFF | FACULTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Paige Begody Natalia Perez Rojas |
Elena Maria Wong | Veronica Atondo, Asst Director, Undergrad Engagement and Belongingness | Michael Mandel, Sr Lecturer Business Communications |
| 2022 | Alfredo J. Cuestas '23 BSBA (Accounting) | EK Green '23 PhD (Economics) | Brianna Fulp, Career Coach & Undergraduate Diversity Coordinator | Katie Maxwell, Associate Director, Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy |
| 2021 | AJ Banks '21 BSBA (MIS) Brennen Feder '22 BSBA (Business Management) |
Nuria Seijas '21 PhD (Accounting) Zara Ahmed-Post '21 MSMIS |
Veronica Atondo, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Engagement and Belongingness | Erin A. Yetter, Lecturer in Economics |
News
Reach out to Eller's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team