Diversity Matters

Diversity is important - in the classroom, in the business community, and beyond.  University, business, and military leaders all agree on one thing: diversity is a prerequisite for success.

 

Local Universities

Duke University - President Richard Brodhead
"...in our increasingly interconnected world, our students must be able to understand and collaborate across the many dimensions of difference - of race and ethnicity, income, religious affiliation, national culture, and many more - to succeed. Diversity makes our world a far more interesting place, and that's a good reason to build this university as a place where difference isn't just tolerated, but actively embraced."

NC State University - Chancellor W. Randolph Woodson
"Because diversity is what makes our lives richer and gives us the chance to advance our university, NC State will continue striving to be more diverse in hopes of creating a culture that values empathy, respect, tolerance and equality for all.

UNC-Chapel Hill
"Education takes place most productively among persons with differing social backgrounds, economic circumstances, personal characteristics, philosophical outlooks, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, expectations, and aspirations, to mention some salient factors."

 

Global Businesses

American Airlines - Gerard J. Arpey, Chairman & CEO
"At AA, we value diversity, not just because it works, but because it is right, and because it is consistent with our greater mission of connecting the world."

Business Week (May 14, 2010) - "Diversity as a Strategic Advantage"
"As organizations embrace the power of diversity to drive business results, it clearly positions them for growth in a flatter world economy, where the composition and complexion of the workforce and customer base is increasingly shifting... Organizations that are not making the most of their diverse talent will find themselves in the unenviable position of watching competitors take the lead."

 

Google
"Our success hinges on our ability to understand the needs of all 597 million of our users. That's why we work hard to attract and hire talented individuals of every possible perspective, from all over the world. No matter how you slice it, diversity is our DNA."

HP
"At HP, we believe diversity is a key driver of our success... Diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of our company."

McDonald's
"...our commitment to inclusion and diversity has helped make us the company we are today. "

Microsoft - Chairman Bill Gates on Diversity and Inclusion
"The collaborative energy that is created when talented people from different backgrounds come together to focus on innovation has helped fuel Microsoft's success for more than 30 years. As we bring our innovations into more and more markets around the world, and as we strive to bridge the digital divide so that people at all levels of society can benefit from the opportunities of the global knowledge economy, we recognize that it's more important than ever to honor diversity, both inside Microsoft and in the communities where we live and work."

 

US Military

US Army Policy on Diversity
"Diversity is a major strength of our Army. Our Army is the strength of this Nation."

United States Coast Guard
"Diversity, though not easily captured in a single definition, allows the Coast Guard to benefit from the talents, abilities, ideas and viewpoints of a workforce drawn from the richness of American society..."