Inclusive Excellence Framework@WFUSB

As a School, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel empowered to achieve their highest potential by fostering a global community of leaders equipped to make meaningful contributions in diverse and interconnected societies. To accomplish this, we developed the Inclusive Excellence Strategic Framework to guide our community’s efforts to cultivate cultural competency, enhance the learning and work environment, and prepare future leaders for the global marketplace.

The Framework serves as a lighthouse in our pursuit of organizational excellence and a culture of continuous improvement characterized by open communication, teamwork, collaboration, and a solutions orientation. Aligned with the School of Business Strategic Framework and WFU’s Framing our Future Strategic Framework, the Inclusive Excellence Strategic Framework is defined by four Thematic Goals:

1. Access, Recruit, and Retain Global Talent
   • Broaden Student Pipelines through Partnerships: Collaborate with the College, HBCUs, HSIs, and international institutions on initiatives that support access to UG Business and PX Masters Programs.
   • Develop Academic Readiness and Support Programs: Offer short-term initiatives designed to equip UG and non-UG Business majors with the skills and knowledge needed for success in PX Masters Programs.
   • Facilitate Inclusive Career and Personal Growth: Promote opportunities for professional development and personal growth tailored to meet the unique needs of students, faculty, and staff from various backgrounds.
2. Cultivate a Culture of Belonging, Inclusion, and High-Performance
   • Enhance Cross-Cultural Understanding and Dialogue: Design and implement programs to deepen cultural awareness and facilitate meaningful dialogue across diverse perspectives.
   • Drive Innovation, Collaboration, and Performance: Develop initiatives that foster idea-sharing, strengthen teamwork, improve stakeholder engagement, and deliver measurable results aligned with strategic goals.
   • Elevate and Broaden “Culture of Appreciation” Initiatives: Augment existing initiatives to celebrate contributions, recognize achievements, and promote a strong sense of belonging for the WFUSB community.
3. Transform Learning through Inclusive Scholarship and Practice
   • Design a “Global Business for Good” Case Competition Series: Host an annual series where student teams tackle global challenges related to social equity and sustainability, partnering with corporate and community organizations to develop strategic, real-world solutions that drive positive impact.
   • Establish a Case Study Program on Business and Socioeconomic Equity: Produce case studies on how businesses advance socioeconomic equity through strategies in hiring, supplier diversity, pay equity, and community investment.
   • Institute an Inclusive Pedagogy Learning Community: Create a faculty learning community to support the development and sharing of best practices for inclusive classrooms, intercultural teaching, and cultural competency across disciplines.
4. Promote an Inclusive Economy through Strategic Initiatives
   • Expand Business Education and Literacy in Critical Areas: Partner with organizations to increase access to programs that empower underserved communities through literacy and skills-development in finance, economics, entrepreneurship, data, and technology.
   • Advance Economic Opportunity through Workforce and Business Development: Collaborate with organizations to support small businesses, create workforce training programs, and promote sustainable economic growth in underserved communities.
   • Foster Global Inclusion through Thought-Leadership Programs: Host summits, forums, speaker series, and panels that highlight innovative strategies and best practices for inclusive leadership in business and education.