Columbia Business School’s mission centers on “developing ideas and leaders that transform the world—from the very center of business.” It prides itself on being an institution dedicated to advanced research, with an educational philosophy that bridges theory and practice in the heart of America’s biggest urban hub.
CBS’s mission statement expands on this goal, with a heavy emphasis on business management research and scholarship:
“We are committed to educating and developing leaders and builders of enterprises who create value for their stakeholders and society at large. We accomplish this through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs.
We are equally committed to developing new scholars and teachers, and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools which advance the understanding and practice of management; we accomplish this through our faculty research and PhD programs.”
Given the pressing need to address racial inequality and discrimination, especially in the wake of the nation’s 2020 demands for greater action and accountability, Columbia Business School has expanded its mission to include a more defined set of institutional values regarding diversity, inclusion, and community integrity:
“To achieve our vision of developing innovative ideas and inspiring leaders that transform the world, Columbia Business School (CBS) is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders of CBS strive to build and sustain a welcoming and intellectual community that values and respects individuals’ different and shared identities and perspectives, leading to a sense of belonging for all.
Individuals’ identities can be based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, language, socioeconomic status, geographic origin, political ideology, and more. CBS proudly celebrates the diversity of its hometown, New York City, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the following ways:
- Actively seeking and including new members in our community who challenge conventional beliefs and propose and respectfully debate bold ideas
- Fostering an inclusive learning environment and curriculum for all students
- Continuously measuring our progress by eliciting meaningful feedback from our community
- Basing decisions about policies and initiatives on evidence and data
We have a community-wide responsibility to uphold and defend our shared values and principles at CBS and beyond.”
Columbia Business School’s DEI Standing Committee works to ensure the school meets the 3 Pillars of Diversity – (1) Community (2) Diversity, Curriculum & Classroom Inclusion, and (3) Culture & Climate – and collaborates with the Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to oversee accountability to the school’s DEI commitment.