At the University of Phoenix, human rights are built into everything from the curriculum to the ethos. And the University’s staff is proud to be recognized as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation after scoring 100% on the Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index.
This is one of the most important benchmark surveys in the country and a reliable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the policies of a workplace. This is the fourth year in a row that the University of Phoenix has been given a perfect score, a testament to how important this issue is to everyone at the University. Staff reactions to the award and University of Phoenix policies continue to demonstrate that equality is a priority.
A Point of Pride
When the University of Phoenix was first established, efforts focused on giving non-traditional students the same chance at a quality higher education as their counterparts. The premise shows that everyone from faculty to freshman did not put much merit on stereotypes or limitations. Trying to keep someone from leading the life they wanted was never a part of the plan.
Treating everyone with dignity and respect extends to all those involved with the University. Finding supportive environments for those in the LGBTQ community is not always easy, particularly if the workplace culture is based on something other than equality. The community at the University of Phoenix understands what discrimination does to a human being and why inequities cannot be allowed to continue if we want a better society.
Cheryl Naumann, chief human resources officer at the University of Phoenix, opened up about what it means to employ people for the right reasons. “Maintaining this designation is a point of pride for us, and we are committed to providing a workplace where our employees feel connected, supported and can thrive in their careers.” Her response shows just how important it is to live up to the high expectations the school has set for itself, both now and in the future.
How the Corporate Equality Index Rates Candidates
The Corporate Equality Index evaluates how committed a workplace is to both equality and inclusion. The latter is often the best way to judge a workplace on its true intentions. After all, it’s easy to say that no discrimination exists within an organization but far harder to justify with a workforce staffed by people from the same backgrounds and orientations.
Receiving a perfect score on the Index reflects how the University of Phoenix implements policies that promote equal access in all employment. In order to meet the gold standard of the survey, the University’s practices were judged based on the following criteria:
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families
- Equal treatment across all business entities
- Inclusive culture and support for all workers
- Social responsibility on a corporate level
When a person applies for employment with the University of Phoenix, they can rest assured that they will be evaluated based on the work they do and the contributions they make to the team.
Allies of Pride and Inclusion Cafe
You can see why the University of Phoenix received a designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality when factoring in the ongoing work it does to highlight and discuss relevant cultural divides in our world. Rather than ignoring problems, the University seeks to bring people together to resolve individual frustrations or resentment and to brainstorm how inclusion can be implemented on both large and small scales alike.
The University of Phoenix has a number of initiatives in place that highlight employee awareness of what equity and diversity mean in daily practice. There are five Employee Resource Groups that can be found at the University. One such group, Allies of Pride, champions inclusion and discusses topics important to the LGBTQ community.
The University’s Office of Educational Equity also created The Inclusion Cafe in 2020. Established during the pandemic, this virtual gathering place provided the community with a chance to meet, connect and grow together through regular biweekly sessions in compliance with social distancing guidelines. This became a safe spot where conversations could be started in an effort for people to share their feelings and opinions. Ultimately, the University of Phoenix is attempting to do with the Inclusion Cafe what they have done with millions of students: expand the horizons of every participant. To learn more about the University’s many efforts to promote equality for all, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/multicultural.html.
About University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix helps adults adapt to a rapidly changing world by providing relevant, flexible education. The courses offered by the University can help students from every background pursue their goals. Coursework is interactive and designed to help adult learners absorb the material with an emphasis on doing. The University of Phoenix is proud to serve a diverse student population and help them overcome any obstacles that may be standing in the way of their education. To see how classes are tailored to give everyone an opportunity to learn, visit www.phoenix.edu.
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