How to effectively approach diversity and inclusion in the workforce has long been a challenge for corporate executives and organizations.  Distinctively, University of South Florida (USF) pulled off a free, seven-week program focused on the many ways organizations can create a more diverse environment as well as address equity issues and foster inclusivity in the workplace in a very unlike higher ed fashion – at least unlike the stigma that higher ed moves at a snail’s pace. In a planning period of fewer than three months, an incredibly nimble and small team worked to develop the curriculum, secure technology that had the capacity to sustain thousands of users and marketed the program. the response was astounding.

Despite having no marketing budget, the team far exceeded its goal of a few thousand participants and garnered more than 135,000 participants.

“While setting up the DEI in the workplace program to address participants of all professional backgrounds was challenging – particularly ensuring that their attention was captured week-to-week with the right balance of speaker engagement and instruction – the planning team was nimble, and pivoted, when necessary,” Dr. Alexis Mootoo, associate vice president of resource management and community development said. “We ended up having a great time rolling out modules every week and re-grouping weekly to ensure the next module was even better than the last.”

A program of this magnitude can take months to even years to create and can often cost participants upwards of $1,000. Understanding the urgency and timeliness, four key players at USF brought the program to life in less than half the time and at no cost to participants.