Exploring the LGBTQ Spectrum at UD’s Lerner College

On February 23, the Lerner Diversity Council (LDC) at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics raised awareness for LGBTQ allyship at a lunch-and-learn session for UD students, faculty and staff.

Exploring the LGBTQ Spectrum and Building a Supportive Community was sponsored and presented by KPMG, which was named the new founding corporate partner of the LDC earlier this year.

“Students are going out into a changing world, where people want unique experiences both in the corporate world and as consumers,” added Jennifer Joe, Whitney Family Professor of Accounting and Lerner’s chief diversity advocate. “Organizations such as KPMG are great examples of creating inclusive workplaces. If our students are accustomed to operating in that environment, they’re going to be successful when they enter the workplace.”

Speaker Michael Ebert, a partner in KPMG’s Philadelphia Cybersecurity practice, spoke about the company’s trailblazing work in fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQ professionals, from offering health benefits to same-sex partners of its employees beginning in 1993 to developing signature events and programs that provide development opportunities and increase visibility of LGBTQ professionals in the workplace.

“Allyship is working to understand the needs of others,” Ebert said. “It’s a process that starts with asking questions to develop an understanding, which eventually leads to becoming an engaged member of the community.”

“We don’t expect everyone to be marching on Washington every single day,” added Lauren Simek, campus recruiter for KPMG. Actions like “actively being part of an organization or simply speaking knowledgeably and standing up for members of the LGBTQ community,” can make a difference, she said.

While KPMG has worked to position itself as an institutional leader of diversity and inclusion, its employees also play a critical role as allies for their LGBTQ colleagues. And so after Ebert’s presentation, attendees broke into groups to evaluate various workplace scenarios that presented opportunities to be an ally for LGBTQ co-workers.

“We related to our scenario, because it’s an issue that comes up in our workplace,” said one attendee of her group’s assignment, which involved hypothetical co-workers disparaging an upcoming diversity event. “We thought it was important to discuss, because we often hear people brush off diversity initiatives as a waste of resources.”

As the event concluded, Bruce Weber, Dean of the Lerner College, stressed the importance of the LDC’s work and the vital insights that the lunch-and-learn sessions provide.

“When we bring Lerner students, faculty and professionals together over such an important topic, it’s a worthwhile investment of our time and resources,” Weber said.

“The key takeaway is to realize that the flexibility and freedom we have in higher education can be used for so many good purposes, and this is one of them,” he continued, “spending time with colleagues and coming together to talk about issues we face in the transitional era we’re currently in improves the education we provide and the enhances the climate we work in.”

Lerner Named 2025 Top 10 Undergrad Business School to Watch

The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has been included among the 2025 Top 10 Undergraduate Business Schools To Watch by Poets&Quants. Lerner recently jumped up 13 places this year to No. 52 in Poets&Quants’ annual...

UD Lerner names Markus Schuckert chair of HSBM

The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Dean Oliver Yao has announced the appointment of Markus Schuckert as chair of the Department of Hospitality and Sport Business Management (HSBM), effective Sept. 1, 2025. Schuckert will also...

Lerner’s Cheng Named DENIN Fellow for Waste Research

Assistant Professor of Marketing Andong Cheng at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has been named a Faculty Fellow at the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) for the 2025–27 term. Cheng is the first faculty member from...

Lerner Prof Beth Schinoff Discusses Peloton Research

Article written by Peter Bothum, Director, External Relations Projects at work can impact what’s happening in our personal lives. And what’s happening in our personal lives can also inspire our work. For University of Delaware management professor Beth Schinoff, it’s...

Lerner Accounting Alum Daniel Wallen Makes Carnegie Hall Debut

As an accountant, Daniel Wallen is no stranger to tight deadlines and heavy workloads, especially in April amid a busy tax season. However, the University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics alumnus has learned to exemplify the importance of...

Lerner Diversity Council Earns 2025 Inspiring Programs Award

For the second consecutive year, the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has received the 2025 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Academia magazine (formerly Insight Into Diversity). This national recognition...