The Darden School recently made it its business to increase the number of female students in the school. And it shows.
This year, the increase in female enrollment at Darden set records. Thirty-one percent of the first-year class consists of women, up from just over 20 percent in last year's class, according to Erika James, associate dean of diversity at Darden.
Because Darden saw one of its smallest groups of female students enter last year, its Office of Admissions made a concerted effort to increase its female enrollment for this year's incoming class.
"We have been at this level before, but to make that leap in a single year is a remarkable feat, and one that makes a more valuable learning experience in our classrooms," James said.
According to Darden Director of Admissions Sara Neher, who spearheaded the effort to increase female enrollment, the second-year class currently has 71 women whereas the first-year class has 98 women.
"A lot of our staff and students really worked hard to attract more women to Darden," Neher said.
Neher also credits an increase in female students to the Forté Foundation, founded in 2001, which works throughout the country and in Europe to help women understand why they would be interested in receiving an MBA.
Overall, students have noticed that Darden is increasing in diversity, both in terms of gender and other aspects.
"Actually, I have noticed an increase in diversity from the class of '08 to the class of '09," second-year Darden student Pedro Dagnino said.
James said Darden looks to continue the upward trend in female enrollment in the coming years.
"There are many talented women [out there] and we hope this year's class will perpetuate a cycle of many more women coming to Darden," James said.
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