Forbes lists UAB 4th as one of America’s best employers for diversity

Forbes considered thousands of companies in the US when creating its 2021 list for America’s best employers for diversity. After surveying 50,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees, the University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked number four in the country.

UAB’s commitment to diversity + inclusion

“Inclusive excellence is not simply something we aim to do; it is who we are as an institution.”

Dr. Paulette Dilworth, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion UAB

As the above quote states, the university is committed to inclusion. It’s not the first time a national publication highlighted its active promotion for diversity and equity.

UAB’s past achievements for diversity

⭐️ INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity publication and website in higher education, recognized UAB as a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recipient and a Diversity Champion in 2018.

⭐️ BestColleges and Campus Pride named UAB the best college for LGBTQ students in Alabama in 2019.

⭐️ Minority Access, Inc awarded UAB as the 2019 recipient of the “Colleges and Institutions Committed to Diversity.”

Inclusion on all levels

Through inclusion on all levels, UAB continues to take steps toward equity for students, staff and faculty.

A wide range of multicultural and diversity resources such as UAB’s Equity Leadership Council, Alliance for LGBTQ Equality and African American Faculty Association help identify instrumental opportunities.

Additionally, the university works with partners to recruit and develop a diverse faculty population. In conjunction, an online Diversity Education course gives employees a chance to extend their understanding of diversity concepts. 

UAB is also currently involved in the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity. The NCFDD is a nationally recognized community of over 450 colleges and universities that provide online career development and mentoring resources for faculty.

Tied all together, progress that happens on-campus can translate to positive momentum for diversity and inclusion across Birmingham.

“Being named a Best Employer for Diversity is particularly rewarding because it shows that our focused efforts are noticed and appreciated, but the significance reaches far off-campus.

As the largest single employer in Alabama, with more than 23,000 employees, our richly diverse workforce makes Birmingham and our region a better place to live, work and play.”

Ray L. Watts, UAB, President

All they do is win, win, win no matter what 🥇

We’re thrilled to see one of Birmingham’s best assets recognized off-campus, but notoriety is nothing new. ICYMI: In February, Forbes named the institution “America’s No. 1 Best Large Employer.”

It’s exciting to watch what will come next for UAB and how it positively impacts the city we love.

What do you think Birmingham? Share your thoughts with us on social @BhamNow + @now_bham on Twitter.