Black Equal Opportunity Employment Journal praised the Fisher College of Business in its most recent issue, ranking the MBA program second in the nation for minority enrollment.

The first was Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

“We’re always happy to see high rankings in these areas or any areas,” said Stephen Mangum, senior associate dean for academic programs in the Fisher College of Business.

The journal is one of the nation’s largest and oldest publications supporting the minority community in relation to the workforce. It is widely circulated on college campuses.

The article cites a 1999 survey reporting the business college is ranked second in terms of the ratio of blacks in the MBA program, Mangum said.

In last year’s full time MBA class there were 160 students, 17 percent of whom were minorities, including Hispanics and Asian-Pacific Islanders. The 17 percent is high considering that of the 650 students who applied, only 75 of the applications had been from minority students.

Mangum said the MBA programs’ recruitment process is unique.

“Minority visitation weekend is fairly aggressive in identifying prospective students from diverse populations and inviting them to this program,” Mangum said.

“We try to show them what both the Fisher College of Business and OSU have to offer them,” he said. “The key is to try to get on the radar screen of students early.”

During visitation weekend, Mayor Michael Coleman usually speaks with the prospective students about Columbus in general.

“He mentions that Columbus is one of the most diverse communities in the nation – that it’s a good place for minorities to eventually raise families in,” Mangum said.

Kai Bennett, a black MBA student, said the visitation program was fantastic.

“Minority visit weekend I met a lot of possible classmates – it kind of sealed the deal for my decision,” Bennett said.

Frank W. Hale Jr., vice provost emeritus of Minority Affairs, called the ranking an honor and hopes it will help the overall enrollment of minorities at Ohio State.

“The larger the number of students of color, the less likely they are to experience alienation,” Hale said.

While pleased with the progress over the last few years, the college said vigorous recruiting measures will continue.

“We’re constantly trying to be better – always looking to fine tune and identify individuals of quality pursuing an MBA,” Mangum said.