Gies College of Business has been selected to host the 2024 American Marketing Association Diversity Leadership Institute. The Diversity Leadership Institute, which runs from June 26-29, is an annual four-day retreat that allows 20-25 undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to network with each other and participate in small groups led by representatives from our academic and professional community and the AMA’s larger professional and collegiate communities.

“It is truly an honor for us to be chosen to host this event, and it’s a testament to the quality of our faculty and our campus community,” said Gies Associate Professor and AMA Board Member Tiffany White. “This is also a wonderful opportunity for our outstanding faculty to interact with and make a difference in the lives of some of the nation’s brightest young students.”

Participants in the program are selected through an application process that is open to all students who identify as a racial or ethnic minority, identify as LGBTQ, or have a documented disability. Among the many activities, students will participate in group dialogue around issues of equity and social justice, collaborate with peers to research and present ethical solutions to marketing issues, and network with marketing faculty and practitioners.

“We are thrilled to partner with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business for the 2024 Diversity Leadership Institute,” said Aria Childers, AMA Assistant Manager of DEI. “This collaboration is especially significant for the AMA because it brings us back to our roots. In 1948, the University of Illinois established the first-ever collegiate chapter. There’s a rich history of collaboration within the marketing industry, and we’re excited to strengthen this shared commitment by shaping the future of marketing together at this year’s Diversity Leadership Institute.”