Regina Gomez (MBA ’25) reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino representation at HBS.
Before coming to Harvard Business School, I had never truly embraced my identity as a Latina. In fact, I never considered myself part of a “minority.” Growing up in Mexico City in an environment where most people shared the same culture and background as I did, being Latina was just a given. It was not something I had to think about. But HBS changed that. Being here has awakened in me not only the realization of my identity as a Latina but also the need to stand up for it and demand visibility.
The term “minority” is one I had always struggled to associate with, but at HBS, I have experienced what it means to feel like one – less seen, less heard, and less represented compared to other affinity groups. It seems ironic, really. HBS is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month across its platforms, promoting it on internal communication channels, social media, and public forums. But when it comes to Latino representation on campus, there is still so much more work to be done. According to the 2022 census, Latinos make up 19.1% of the U.S. population, but at HBS, we represent only 10% of the community. This gap is not just a matter of numbers; it is reflected in the experiences, opportunities, and spaces where Latino voices are missing or marginalized. Here are some of the key areas where I believe that HBS falls short:
Curriculum
During my RC year, I encountered fewer than 10 cases focused on Latin America, most of which were outdated and didn’t reflect the current dynamics of the region. For instance, the Oxxo case is about to turn 20 years old. In BGIE, only two cases addressed Latin American countries, and both lacked depth and nuance. For example, the Brazil case centered solely on corruption without providing a broader context of the country’s rich history, culture, or economy – context that other cases typically include. Latin America is home to many successful businesses and economic growth stories that deserve attention in our curriculum. According to UCLA (2024), U.S. Latino GDP reached $3.7 trillion in 2022, with a growth rate surpassing that of China and India. Where are these contributions seen in our classrooms? We need to push the research team and faculty to create more relevant cases on Latin America.
Faculty Representation
Currently, fewer than 10 Latino professors teach across the RC and EC courses. This lack of diversity among faculty is disheartening for Latino students who are looking for mentors who can relate to their experiences and who can bring important perspectives into academic conversations. Having more Latino faculty is crucial – not only for students seeking representation but also for driving more research and case studies centered on Latin America. We deserve to see ourselves reflected in our professors, just as much as in our curriculum.
Student Representation
As I mentioned earlier, Latinos make up only 10% of the HBS community, despite representing almost 20% of the U.S. population. While HBS has made efforts to bridge the gap, like Admissions visiting Latin American countries, there is clearly more to be done. Increasing the number of Latino students should be a priority if HBS is serious about diversity. That said, I am thankful for HBS’s financial aid program, which has made it possible for many of us to be here regardless of our socioeconomic background. It is a great step, but there is still room to grow.
Student Clubs
Latino student organizations like LASO and the LatAm Club have continuously struggled to gain the recognition and platform they deserve compared to other affinity groups. The LatAm Club was not mentioned in the DEI email for Hispanic Heritage Month, and the club was given the last choice of dates for the LatAm Business Conference with MIT. This pattern of oversight extends beyond events, and club leaders feel frustrated by the lack of institutional support. Per one club leader, “Sometimes, we feel like second-class.”
This article is not meant to provoke, but rather to reflect on the challenges I have experienced as a Latina student at HBS. My hope is to spark a conversation about how the school can better support and elevate Latino voices. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is important, but it rings hollow if the work to create equity and visibility is not happening in real, meaningful ways. I envision an HBS where all students, regardless of where they come from, have equal opportunities to succeed and feel represented. To my fellow Latinos and Hispanics: sigamos para adelante, los admiro y los quiero.
Regina Gomez (MBA ’25) was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. She graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey with a degree in Economics. Prior to HBS she worked at Mastercard and an early-stage fintech as a Global Strategy and Operations Manager specializing in the payments industry.
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