KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 25, 2017

Ranked among nation’s top in degrees to minorities; designated a 2017 “Diversity Champion”

Kennesaw State University received two distinctions this week recognizing its leadership in the area of diversity. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine ranked the University among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation in degrees conferred to minorities. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has for the second consecutive year designated KSU a “Diversity Champion,” one of only 12 schools nationwide to be honored for 2017.

The Diverse rankings, released in the magazine’s August edition on Thursday, placed Kennesaw State 24th in the nation in bachelor’s degrees presented to African-Americans in all disciplines. It also listed Kennesaw State as 83rd in the nation in conferring bachelor’s degrees to all minorities across all disciplines. Degrees to African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native-American are measured in the Diverse study.

In designating Kennesaw State a “Diversity Champion,” INSIGHT Into Diversity cited the University as among institutions that “exemplify an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels.”

“This is a banner week for Kennesaw State’s many efforts to create and promote a diverse and inclusive climate,” said Erik Malewski, the University’s chief diversity officer. “It takes an institutional commitment and a great deal of collaboration across divisions to achieve these honors and distinctions. We are proud of what they say about Kennesaw State – what we value, and where we’re going.”

The Diverse annual rankings, which are based on data collected by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, are drawn from a sample of 2,718 participating Title IV schools. Kennesaw State also ranked 92nd among the institutions for master's degrees conferred to African-Americans in all disciplines.

“The rankings represent a sustained effort to recruit, retain and graduate diverse students,” Malewski said. “That so many students of color complete their degrees at Kennesaw State also means we’ve created a climate that fosters success.”

An INSIGHT Into Diversity article describes some of Kennesaw State’s initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. In designating the University among the top 12 institutions for diversity, the magazine recognized its role as a leader in the field. 

“Known for visionary leadership, Diversity Champions are institutions that set the standard for thousands of other campus communities striving for diversity and inclusion,” INSIGHT Into Diversity’s announcement noted. “They develop successful strategies and programs, which then serve as models of excellence for other institutions … and exceed everyday expectations, often eclipsing their own goals.”

Other institutions named Diversity Champions were Columbia University, Florida State University, Kent State University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, University of Cincinnati, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Texas at Austin and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Like those institutions, Kennesaw State was awarded an INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in 2015 and 2016.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.