Miami University has been recognized on Forbes America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2024 list, reinforcing its reputation as a workplace that embraces inclusive excellence.

Miami, which employs about 3,700 people, was ranked No. 16 overall. It is the only “Education” industry listed in the top 29, followed by Brown University at No. 30 and Cleveland State University at No. 33.

Forbes partnered with Statista, a market research firm, and anonymously surveyed more than 170,000 individuals working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the United States.

“Respondents evaluated the organization’s approach to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) as it pertains to such criteria as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation,” Forbes said in its rankings story.

The evaluation was based on three criteria:

• Employees were asked to give their opinions on a series of statements regarding age, gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQIA+, and general diversity in their current workplace.
• Participants were also given the chance to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively with regard to diversity.
• Extensive research was done to evaluate how companies fared across a range of diversity-related best practices, such as representation, accountability and communication, internal initiatives, and external involvement.

Cristina Alcalde, vice president of Miami’s Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence, said, “Our commitment to being inclusive means that as we make progress and celebrate our accomplishments, we also recognize that there is still more work to be done. The work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across units and by students, faculty, and staff is challenging, rewarding, and so necessary.”

She added, “It is at the heart of our inclusive excellence approach at Miami. These efforts are central to our well-being and success, and it is wonderful to have these efforts recognized. We are so proud of and grateful for all the intentional efforts that move us forward as an inclusive community."

Miami’s award-winning DEI in Leadership Online Certificate is an example of the broad, intentional approach to supporting and benefiting from diversity in the workplace.

The certificate program, which features Miami faculty and staff expertise and includes topics ranging from ableism to ageism to antiracism, has been popular both internally and externally in supporting inclusive workplaces, Alcalde said.

“We have participants from throughout the U.S. and across industries, including corporate, health sectors, and nonprofits,” Alcalde said.

Last year, Forbes named Miami among the best employers in Ohio.

With more than 3,700 employees, Miami is the largest employer in Butler County. The university serves more than 20,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students across its Oxford campus, regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, the Voice of American Learning Center in West Chester, and the John E. Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg.