Annual diversity conference hosts 120 students, 23 companies

The Diverse Student Association and the Trulaske College of Business hosted 120 students and 23 employers at the annual Bottom Line for Diversity Conference February 21 on the University of Missouri campus.

With lead sponsor US Bank, the conference hosted breakout sessions on identity and unconscious bias and a mini career fair, during which conference participants received the opportunity to speak with recruiters and learn more about the diversity initiatives of the companies present.

The conference also featured three guest speakers:

• Marcus Brown, training and development program manager at US Bancorp Community Development Corporation
• Gay Albright, associate dean of undergraduate programs and director of global initiatives at the Trulaske College of Business
• Neal Richardson, vice president and director of business impact for US Bank Community Development Corporation

“We are proud that the Bottom Line for Diversity Conference is a staple event in the business school, and we would like to keep it that way,” said marketing and communications senior Dan-Eli De La Torre, who is president of the Diverse Student Association. “We managed to bring in a conference full of almost entirely new companies that are well known throughout the industry, and we look forward to working with them to provide a more open conversation about diversity, equity and inclusiveness.”

“I would also like to especially thank our advisor, Lindsay Hing, for helping us organize the conference,” he continued. “We are proud of how fast our organization is growing and we look forward to seeing what the Diverse Student Association looks in 10 years."