The Wharton School, in collaboration with its own Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion led by Renita Miller, hosted the Tenure Project’s second annual conference within the welcoming halls of Jon M. Huntsman Hall. Drawing together more than 200 educators from across the country, the event represented a collective commitment to helping underrepresented junior faculty members achieve tenure within a system where historical odds have often been stacked against them.
Founded by the duo, Wharton Prof. Wendy De La Rosa, W’11, and Foster School of Business Prof. Esther Uduehi, GrW’21, this conference is a manifestation of their dedication to addressing the issues affecting Black, Latinx, and Native junior faculty in U.S. business schools. This year’s theme, “learning by doing,” emphasized experiential learning and “getting your hands dirty,” says De La Rosa.
Professor De La Rosa acknowledges the importance of her own community that has brought the initiative and conference to life.
“I am really thankful both to Wharton and the Foster School of Business,” De La Rosa says. “I think about the support from Dean James, Deputy Dean Nancy Rothbard, and my senior colleagues who encouraged me to pursue this. We often underestimate the power of the village, and this could not have turned into a reality without the incredible help from the Senior Planning Committee to all the sponsoring institutions.”
As the Tenure Project continues to flourish, the initiative stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of Wharton’s community, which is one that will continue to champion diversity and equity in academia.
– Madison Sumners
Posted: September 20, 2023
