Diversity in a learning institution challenges racial assumptions, promotes critical thinking, and allows students to interact effectively with people from varying backgrounds. Representation of minority groups in key leadership roles, including faculty positions, inspires young people to break stereotypes and reach their full potential. Élida Bautista is a brilliant woman of color who had to constantly deal with stereotypes, expectations, and lack of opportunities despite her academic strengths as a student. Élida regarded education as a protest against people who tried to discourage and suppress her due to her race and skin color. She earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology by not letting others dictate her path in life while competing with other well-resourced students.

Élida Bautista is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Berkeley Haas. She leads strategic initiatives for students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive climate and equip students to lead in a diverse world.

This episode highlights the importance of diversity among the faculty and student body in a learning institution that produces global business leaders.

Episode quotes:

On why college is a big risk for students who come from low-income families

00:16:10] The expectation was to financially contribute to the family. Because I was making a choice to go to college and not be in a position to contribute financially, I also was not in a position to ask for anything. It felt like a risk because there was no choice but to succeed. Failure was not an option.

On creating programs that produce Ph.D. students and attract faculty who are rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion

[00:34:02] Ph.D. program takes at least five years, depending on the student. So by the time somebody joins the faculty ranks and is teaching in that core course, it might take a few years to see the effects of what we put down now. But we have to start at least, you know, obviously, this is overdue, but at the very least we need to start to invest in that now, so that we see the fruits of those labors down the road, while we simultaneously make Haas a place that's appealing for faculty who want to do research that is rooted in DEI, who want to mentor students across a variety of identities that have continued to be under-represented. 

On mentoring as a way for alumni and current students to get more involved and promote DEI

[37:12:92] Mentoring is always another way that people can give back. If you don't identify as somebody from an underrepresented group and you are in a position of privilege and power in your respective organization and the leadership position - that's the opportunity to find somebody in your organization or at Haas. To mentor them and help them have access to those pathways that they wouldn't otherwise have access to.

Show Links:

• Élida Bautista on LinkedIn
• Élida Bautista on Berkeley Haas

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/onehaas/donations