This Pride Month, we’re speaking with students and faculty leading LGBTQIA+ societies at their institutions to explore how they’re making a difference. We ask about the impact of their societies and what more business schools can, and should, do to champion inclusivity…
- Name: Stephan van Roon
- Institution: Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University
- Programme: MSc Strategic Management
- Club: Erasmus Pride
Why did you decide to go to business school? Why did you choose your institution/programme?
I’ve always been interested in business and enjoyed courses like management & organisation, economics, and mathematics. Additionally, both the BSc Business Administration and MSc Strategic Management have a varied curriculum that allowed me to learn about many aspects of business and develop various skills.
Can you share your overall experience as an LGBTQ+ student in business school? Have there been any particular challenges you have faced, or opportunities you have found?
Within the Rotterdam School of Management I had a great time and my queerness did not impact me negatively in any way. My roles at Erasmus Pride actually opened up opportunities for me at RSM. For example, it offered me a unique perspective that helped me contribute during my year as a student representative in the RSM Faculty Council, and I was awarded the RSM Positive Change Reward in 2023.
Tell us about the LGBTQ+ club at your school. What role does your LGBTQ+ club play in supporting students?
Erasmus Pride, the queer student association, is not only tied to the Rotterdam School of Management, but has members from all different schools that are part of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, and even outside of that. This makes the association a place where students from various backgrounds and studies can meet and connect, allowing for unique friendships and opportunities which, in my opinion, is one of the most valuable parts of studying.
“During your studies you lay the basis of your network and are likely to find people that will form the support network for the rest of your life. I hope the association will be that place for many students to come.”
– Stephan van Roon
Next to the cross-school connections, the association is a safe space for students to meet like-minded people in an atmosphere where they can 100% be themselves. Erasmus Pride offers a place for students to develop and explore themselves outside of the sometimes conservative and unsafe communities that they were (and often still are) part of.
Within the university, Erasmus Pride is an organisation that the university can reach out to when they want to know what is happening with students, what their needs are, and what the best approach could be to certain DEI related initiatives andissues. Additionally the association approaches the university with feedback and initiatives that are in the best interest of our members to improve the learning environment for them.
Why did you decide to take up the position as head of the club?
When I started studying back in 2018, the association was still a network. I joined one of the social drinks and felt welcome from the start. Over the years the association offered me and many others a safe space with friends and unconditional support. As I want to make sure that other (future) students can also benefit from this, I decided to take a position on the board back in 2022/2023.
Has your role in the LGBTQ+ club shaped your perspective on your career or leadership goals?
The board year, and other committee positions within the association, taught me a lot of valuable management, collaborative, and leadership skills. My aim is to use and develop these further.
Besides this, my experiences at the association perfectly demonstrated the added value of a diverse working environment. Having people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences involved truly helps to add on to what is already there, building towards the best results.
How can business schools improve their support and inclusion of LGBTQ+ students?
Inclusion does not only exist in big gestures, its also the small details that count. Think, for example, of using inclusive language in policies and communication (e.g. “the student” instead of he/she). Additionally, making sure that (information on) resources like gender neutral bathrooms and healthcare are available.
What initiatives or events has your club led that you’re particularly proud of? What impact did they have?
Erasmus Pride was one of the driving factors in establishing gender neutral bathrooms across the campus. Instead of there just being two, eventually every building contained at least one of those bathrooms. This made it easier for non-binary students to find a bathroom they are comfortable in.
“My roles at Erasmus Pride actually opened up opportunities for me at RSM”
– Stephan van Roon
I am proud of what we achieved, and that we were successful in getting the university to actively address the need.
What sort of legacy do you hope to leave for future students?
I hope to leave a space for LGBTQ+ students where they can find themselves, be themselves, and connect with like-minded individuals. During your studies you lay the basis of your network and are likely to find people that will form the support network for the rest of your life. I hope the association will be that place for many students to come.
What advice would you give to future club leaders looking to make a difference?
Listen to your members and use your platform. Being at the head of a queer student association comes with responsibilities to the members to act in their best interest. As a student association you are connected to the university and therefore also the ability to address certain issues.
By staying in contact with your members and communicating the problems they run into to the university and/or other relevant parties, you can really make a difference.
What advice would you give to current LGBTQ+ business students about navigating business school?
Of course, passing your courses and graduating are priority number one, but I want to urge students to find people they connect with.
Your time as a student offers you a lot of opportunities and exploring these with a great support network around you is essential to celebrate the highs and get through the lows. Enjoy it and do it together!
Interested in this series? You might also like this…