Monique Byson- Lodge is an inspiring woman from Racine, Wisconsin with a strong passion for working in the community and empowering youth through their personal journeys. For the last 15 years, she has lived in Madison and spent most of her time working with local schools and nonprofits which include the Boys and Girls Club and the Wisconsin Youth Company. From academics, to food, to legal services, she provided resources and support for many families with elementary to high school students.
When looking for a change of pace a few years back, her current role opened at the University of Wisconsin School of Business. A leap of faith helped to secure this position and now she continues to mentor and encourage students on a larger platform.
Monique has been working in the undergraduate program at the business school for three years now, holding the position of director of pre-college programs. In this role, she leads two main programs: The Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) Scholarship Program and The Precollege Business Basics Summer Program. These programs aim to give traditionally underrepresented students in the business world equal opportunities.
The Business basics summer program is the biggest and most vibrant. It is a free week-long program for students interested in business and wanting to find a close-knit community of like-minded individuals. During this week, students are provided academic and career resources and taught how to understand their self-worth and communicate their personal values.
“We really wanted to take away the barriers of entry into the school of business and that is what we continue to achieve every day.”
The summer program previously included overnight stays, but Monique and her team decided to change that and now use that money towards scholarships for students enrolling in the business school. Although not all students enroll, there has been an 100% persistent rate for those that have joined and has reached students out-of-state.
Although the summer program was a huge success, Monique and her team realized they could make an even larger impact. In 2023, they introduced a new model providing multiple access points rather than one. Now, there are a variety of school year programs that focus on immersing students in different business-like situations and going more in-depth with topics and opportunities. For example, there is a program dedicated to entrepreneurship, and one for girls exploring business.
These programs have impacted the culture of the business school immensely. Past students in this program petitioned to have a multi-cultural center and it was soon created. It is truly amazing to see a counsel of students that support different efforts and feel comfortable advocating for them.
“Students advocacy has made huge changes to the school and it has been very helpful that the administration always listens and responds.”
Students in this program have expressed their appreciation for the transparency in this community. This is not just a temporary program; it is a building lasting relationships and implementing change. Monique explained that graduated students always come back to volunteer or help future students on their path to success.
One piece of advice that Monique gives to her students: “The business school is very rigorous and it is easy to compare yourself to others. So, always remember that it’s okay to ask questions and give yourself grace.”
If you are interested in enrolling in a program, check out these links:
