All Virginia Tech students are invited to participate in the Diversity Conference and Case Competition hosted by the Pamplin College of Business from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 at The Inn at Virginia Tech.

The conference includes presentations and workshops for students by companies that lead their industries in diversity and inclusion. Attendance is free and open to all majors, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

The case competition will feature groups of three to four students competing for prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500 in two rounds of presentations judged by faculty members and company representatives.

This year’s case reflects the theme of the conference, now in its 10th year, “Building a DiversiTeam.”

“Virginia Tech undergraduate students from all majors are invited to participate,” said Kimberly A. Carlson, interim director of Pamplin’s Business Diversity Center. Registration for the competition closes at noon March 20, she said, when the case materials will be released.

The competition’s preliminary round will be March 27, with the final round the following day. Learn more about the competition, including the guidelines, rules, and judging information.

The event is sponsored by the Pamplin College of Business, the Business Diversity Center, the Pamplin Multicultural Diversity Council, Ernst & Young, PWC, Deloitte, KPMG, Altria, Kohl's, and Pepsico.

“The competition is an opportunity for students to apply classroom learning to real-world cases involving diversity management,” Carlson said.

“They also get to practice the soft skills needed to be successful in the business world, such as working in teams, public speaking, presenting cohesive solutions in a succinct manner, and being prepared to answer questions about their proposal,” she added.

“Contestants are given one week to analyze a case and develop a short presentation focused on creative, feasible solutions to the complex issues of diversity in organizations.”

 

 

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