The Diversitas program, launched in 2016, is a series of university-hosted national and regional conferences focused on bringing more underrepresented groups into the financial services industry. Its target audiences are high school and college students, academic and career advisers, and financial advisers, who serve as role models.
Diversitas founder Barry Mulholland, professor and director of financial planning programs at the University of Akron, was influenced by the economics and diverse demographics of his local community.
“We understood that financial wellness comes from financial literacy and education about the financial industry. Not just for students, but also the advisers who influence their careers — including teachers, high school administrators, guidance counselors and academic advisers,” he said.
Diversitas began as an in-person regional conference in northeast Ohio from 2017 to 2019. When the pandemic hit in 2020, it went virtual and grew threefold, extending its reach nationally through 22 partner university co-hosts, and attracting more than 600 participants. The 2021 event reached more than 700.
“We struck a nerve — people sensed there needed to be change but there was no local conversation,” Mulholland said. “In addition, students want to see someone who looks like them, but they can’t necessarily find them locally. Now we’re providing national and regional opportunities for connections.”
Contact Dr. Barry Mulholland, director of the financial planning program, at bmulholland@uakron.edu to learn more about its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.