For the second year in a row, Kent State University has the distinction of ranking among the top 20 companies nationwide in Forbes’ recently released list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2020.
Kent State ranks No. 13 among 500 companies in 24 industry sectors and is the only Ohio public or private college or university to make the 2020 ranking. Duke University (No. 8) was the only higher education employer ranked above Kent State.
Kent State President Todd Diacon said he is proud of staff, faculty and administration for their steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Kent State has been recognized on several occasions for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, selected Kent State as recipient of the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.
The annual HEED Award is a national honor that recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Kent State has received the HEED award several consecutive years.
And in 2017, INSIGHT Into Diversity selected Kent State as a Diversity Champion, an honor bestowed upon a limited number of colleges and universities across the nation for an “unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels.”
On the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity list, Kent State has formidable local company. Northeast Ohio’s Progressive ranked No. 46, Akron Children’s Hospital No. 172, Cleveland Clinic No. 200 and Lubrizol No. 374.
Forbes collaborated with marketing research firm Statista to compile the list by anonymously surveying 60,000 American employees working for companies from all industry sectors employing more than 1,000 employees in the U.S.
Among other questions, the surveys asked employees to “give their opinion on a series of statements surrounding the topics of age, gender equality, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ and general diversity concerning their own employer.”
The final list ranks the 500 companies with the most recommendations, the most diversity among top executives and boards and the best scores within a specific diversity engagement indicator.
For more information about Kent State’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, visit www.kent.edu/diversity.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595