The Lauder Commitment
The Lauder Institute emphasizes the study of language, culture, and historical context as fundamental to understanding the development of social, political, and economic institutions. This includes exploring how these institutions shape concepts of identity and influence social structures. The Institute is made up of an international population of students, staff, and faculty with a diverse array of experiences and perspectives. Constructive dialog on all topics is encouraged. To support open dialog, diversity of thought, and foster a sense of inclusion among all community members, the Institute itself adopts a position of neutrality and refrains from making official statements on social and political events. Read more about our policy on institutional neutrality here.
Curricular Initiatives
The curricula of INTS Programs of Concentration (language, Africa, and Global) integrate themes related to diverse populations, economic inclusion, and disparities in social well-being. Some examples of topics covered include the historical role of slavery in U.S. economic development, the challenges of multicultural diversity, migration and globalization, cultural traditions, identity and belonging, gender and identity, redistributive politics, entrepreneurship, and urban planning. Faculty also developed Lauder Regional Dialogues to examine how globalization interacts with regional political and cultural systems to impact inequality.
Co-Curricular & Programming Initiatives
Lauder students organize peer-facilitated discussions on various topics related to social issues that reflect diverse experiences. The Student Advisory Board takes financial inclusion into account when setting dues and membership fees. Students also participate in community service initiatives to better understand issues facing local communities, particularly immigrant communities, where they can apply their language skills.
The Lauder Student Advisory Board includes a role dedicated to Community & Values, ensuring continuity in activities and awareness related to diversity and belonging.
Penn Initiatives
- Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community: https://president.upenn.edu/initiatives/presidential-commission
- Plan to Combat Antisemitism: https://antisemitism-action-plan.upenn.edu/
- Projects for Progress: https://sec.upenn.edu/p4p
- TAASS (Task Force on Support to Asian and Asian American Students and Scholars
Additional university resources can be found within the links below.
The Lauder Community
Our community comes from numerous countries around the world, and our students, faculty, and staff bring a range of valuable backgrounds and perspectives to the program.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Lauder students are members and leaders of international, cultural, and affinity organizations across Wharton and Penn, such as:
African American MBA Association
Europa! (Wharton European Club)
Wharton Asian American Association of MBAs
Wharton Hispanic American MBA Association
Wharton International Cultural Show
Wharton Latin American Student Association
Many other graduate student groups are listed on the Graduate Student Groups webpage
Cultural and Advocacy Centers
Diversity and Inclusion at our Partnering Schools
Click the links below for detailed information on diversity and inclusion initiatives at our partnering Schools. Through the Lauder Institute’s joint-degree programs our students benefit from the broad work undertaken toward access, inclusion, and equity at SAS, Wharton, and Penn Law.
