The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington has prioritized LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity, resources, and community-building, ensuring a welcoming space for all its students. Recently, the program introduced an LGBTQI+ Outreach Coordinator position, with the mission to bolster representation of LGBTQI+ prospective students and ensure that the Foster community’s content resonates with these applicants.
Partnering with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), Foster continues to increase the influence of the LGBTQ+ community in business through education and networking opportunities for MBA students and alumni. ROMBA provides free access to their events to Foster students, including the annual LGBTQ+ MBA (ROMBA) Conference – the world’s largest gathering of LGBTQ+ business students and alumni.
Foster MBA’s Career Management aids students to prepare for the ROMBA Conference, coaching them to build robust resumes, professional LinkedIn profiles, and effective personal pitches. Foster also funds the financial award associated with the ROMBA Fellowship, allowing fellows to participate in exclusive year-round programming and networking events.
Various funding opportunities for LGBTQIA2S+ MBAs are available, such as the ROMBA Fellowship, the Point Foundation, and the Pride Foundation Scholarships, offering financial aid to promising LGBTQ students. The school encourages students to explore these opportunities.
The Foster MBA also boasts a vibrant LGBTQIA2S+ community via the Out in Business (OiB) club. The club, established in 2010, cultivates a welcoming community, striving to love, support and celebrate LGBTQIA2S+ students, and advocates for inclusion in business and society. OiB’s primary mission includes community-building, professional empowerment, community education, and advocacy, equipping everyone to contribute to a more inclusive environment.
Out in Business members are provided with networking opportunities, professional development programs, and access to LGBTQIA2S+ leaders across various industries. The club leadership continues to increase its membership, and with its commitment to accessibility, does not charge membership fees. The club has successfully tripled its budget over the past year.
Foster’s commitment to the LGBTQIA2S+ community extends beyond the campus to the greater Seattle area. The school has recently partnered with the UW Law School to offer free legal consults and negotiation training to BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and women small business owners. As the club continues to grow, it fosters connections within the broader university community, making it a promising place for LGBTQIA2S+ students and allies.
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