The BYU Marriott School Inclusion and Belonging Society had their opening social on Thursday, Sept. 19 to kick off the fall semester at the BYU Botany Pond.
The society is a club that works hard to ensure that all Marriott School students feel like they are wanted and needed, with a special focus on underrepresented groups.
Gabriel Liza, the VP of Learning & Development in the society, cares a lot about this mission as a nonmember at BYU. He seeks to “be part of the real change” in opening up the Marriott School to those who feel out of place, Liza said.
“When I came here, I noticed that there were many initiatives to include me. . . and I really loved that,” Liza said. “Last year (the society) did amazing. I participated in a panel of religious diversity in the workplace.”
Grace Dyer, the society's VP of Partnerships and Campus Relations, shared that she is familiar with feeling like "the new kid" after moving many times during her youth.
“Everyone needs to be here, even if you don’t feel like it,” Dyer said. “The Marriott School can be a place where we have familiar faces — more like a friendly neighborhood instead of the intimidating thing that some people think it is.”
To Logan Larsen, the society's VP of Professional Development, the society's message of belonging is especially important.
“My dad is part of the LGBTQ community, and I’m passionate about helping people in that community because — especially in the church and at BYU ... it can be hard.”
Alexa Rome, one of the co-presidents of the society, has been involved with the club for over a year. For her, the club is "about helping people find a voice and helping people understand the value that they contribute.”
Rome acknowledges that it can be intimidating to show up for those who are new or feel unrepresented.
“This club is about breaking those boundaries, taking down those walls and helping people realize that even though they are an underrepresented student. . . they can make such an impact both in the school and in the world,” Rome said.
Although mainly geared toward business students, the club's message of welcoming diversity speaks to all of BYU. As Rome put it, the club "is about loving all of God’s children.”