Welcome to our Foster Community!
Foster Dean Frank Hodge and Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity Michelle Purnell-Hepburn
Whether you are a prospective or current student, faculty member or staff member, an alumni, or a corporate or community partner, we hope that you will find the Foster School a welcoming place where you are challenged to learn and grow as a part of an inclusive and diverse community.
A community where all members feel seen, heard and supported and everyone experiences a sense of belonging. A community that strives to incorporate inclusion, diversity, and equity perspectives into every decision we make.
On this page, you’ll find information on our DEI journey — our history, what we are currently doing, and what we are challenging ourselves to achieve in the future. We hope that you will join us on our journey.
Dean Frank Hodge & Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity Michelle Purnell-Hepburn
Find Your Community
Explore the various clubs and organizations at Foster working to help us grow and learn together
The Foster School is committed to building a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. Explore the various clubs and organizations that exist within our community to help us grow and learn together.
- Young Executives of Color Program (YEOC)
For current high school students - Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)
For current high school students - Women’s Leadership Summit
For current high school students - Business Bridge (B²)
For incoming UW freshmen - Business Educational Opportunity Program (BEOP)
For UW undergraduate students planning to apply to Foster - Building Networks
For UW undergraduate students & local community college students planning to apply to Foster - FOSTERing MBA Access
For prospective MBA students
- Ascend UW
- AIESEC
- Asian Business Student Association (ABSA)
- Association of Black Business Students
- Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
- Certificate of International Business Group
- Consulting and Business Development Center
- First Generation Business Leaders (FGBL)
- FIUTS, supporting undergraduate and graduate international students
- Hovind Global Leaders Program
- G3C-Global Case Competition Club
- National Association of Black Accountant (NABA)
- Native Business Association
- Undergraduate Consulting Challenge
- Undergraduate Women in Business (UWiB)
- Evening MBA Diversity Resources
- FIUTS, supporting undergraduate and graduate international students
- Foster Out in Business
- Foster Veterans Association
- Foster Women in Business
- Full-time MBA Diversity Resources
- Global Business Association
- MBA Diversity in Business Club
- GO-MAP, supporting graduate students of color
Affinity groups at the UW:
- Asian & Pacific Islander American Association
- Black Association
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Association
- Latinx Association
- Native Association
- Tenure Project
Inside Foster:
- Foster Faculty & Staff DEI Intranet
Requires UW NetID
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
Explore our DEI glossary and our dynamic resources lists
- DEI Glossary
- DEI CoP Community Resources
Requires UW NetID - Foster Research on Diversity
- Join the Foster DEI Community of Practice (CoP)
Requires UW NetID - Evening MBA Diversity Resources
- Full-time MBA Program Diversity Resources
- Undergraduate DEI Orientation Videos
- Undergraduate Diversity Services
- Undergraduate Business Scholarships
- UW Research on Diversity
- UW Resources on Diversity
- 2020-21 Annual DEI Report
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity Fund
Supporting DEI initiatives for Foster students, staff, and faculty, and beyond
A powerful signal to our community about our commitment to diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority for the school, this new fund supports Foster DEI efforts including diversifying faculty, creating belonging within our community, and increasing access. Learn more.
#FosterInclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion stories from the Foster Blog
Learn more about events, news, and the people who work together to contribute to our community.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion History
A timeline of progress at the Foster School of Business
Thaddeus Spratlen, Foster Professor Emeritus of Marketing. Professor Spratlen was the first African American professor at the UW Foster School of Business.
The Michael G. Foster School of Business, founded 1917, shares with the University of Washington its roots grounded in land of the Coast Salish peoples, residing along the shared waters of the tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations.
This timeline is a series of snapshots in our history, marking milestones and achievements — many long due — in our work toward fostering an inclusive and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Learn more.
DEI Events
Learn, connect, and celebrate at Foster
Get in Touch with the Foster DEI Team
We are eager to meet you and hear about how we can work together to Foster a diverse and inclusive future. Please reach out to say hello, ask a question, or share your experience with us.
Michelle Purnell-Hepburn
Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity
[email protected] | 206-221-1974
Photo at top of page: Graduates and staff at the 2019 Undergraduate Diversity Services Graduation Celebration