In this new blog series "Discussing Diversity," Great Oaks Foundation President Michael Duffy answers questions about diversity, equity and inclusion and how Great Oaks contributes to a welcoming workplace environment for all.

What is the overall mission of the Great Oaks Foundation?

The mission of the Great Oaks (GO) Foundation is to provide students with a high-quality education through high dosage tutoring. We accomplish this by tapping the power of National Service to tutor students, combating racism and investing in community and creating a pipeline of talent to the classroom. 

How do you incorporate values of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace?

One of the principal ways that we embody these values is by seeking to recruit recent college grads to serve as AmeriCorps tutors and mentors in one of our partner schools. That program helps to erase the achievement gap between inner-city students who are largely African American and Hispanic and their suburban peers who are mostly white.

What DE&I programs or initiatives does the company have in place?

Earlier this year, the GO Foundation established a Race & Equity Task Force. That group recently made recommendations to our board to initiate an effort to spend more resources on minority- and women-owned business enterprises; to continue to seek racial and ethnic diversity in our hiring, including in positions in our AmeriCorps Fellowship; and to examine the curriculum in place in our partner schools to ensure that students are presented with material that includes the perspectives of people of color. 

How do you ensure that all employees feel welcome, including new hires and interns?

The GO Foundation conducts regular trainings for its staff that attempt to raise awareness about bias and encourages every person on staff to bring their full and authentic self to this work. 

Why do you think it’s important to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace environment?

We think it is important to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace—first and foremost—because it is the right thing to do. Secondly, it allows the GO Foundation to be that much more effective because we can be sure that we are not overlooking any pools of talent that a less diverse or less inclusive employer might miss. Finally, the quality of our work is enhanced because we've got a variety of perspectives that we are bringing to bear on the challenges we confront.

What are you looking for in UD students who want to intern or work at your company? How can they stand out when speaking with your recruiters at our career fairs?

We are looking for UD students who are resilient, who don't give up even when facing challenging work. Tell us about a time you faced a difficult obstacle and overcame it—or didn't and what you learned about yourself in the process. We are looking for students who are ready to channel their idealism into investing in children to build them up. We are also looking for UD students who may be looking to get into education and are seeking an experience that will give them a taste of what it is like to work in a public school.

Are you currently hiring interns or entry-level employees?

Yes! We are looking for recent grads who are looking for positions now as some of our schools still need AmeriCorps tutors and mentors. Some of our schools will also be looking for December grads who want to start in January and of course we will be seeking UD students who are part of the Class of 2022 to start in a position with the GO Foundation next August.

Is there anything else UD students should know about your organization?

Two of the people leading the work of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the GO Foundation—Michael Duffy and Hector Calderon—have deep roots in the civil rights movement. Mr. Duffy was the Chairman and Commissioner of the civil rights enforcement agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the co-chair of the board of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT organization. Hector Calderon helped found a path-breaking public school in NYC devoted to peace and justice, El Puente Academy; he has also been a leader in President Obama's My Brother/Sisters Keeper initiative aimed at improving the lives of Black boys and girls.