Cornell has been named one of five higher educational institutions in DiversityInc magazine's first "Top Colleges and Universities" ranking. The ranking recognizes Cornell's ongoing and successful commitment to diversity programs and its success at implementing diversity management.

DiversityInc magazine named Cornell, Duke University, Kean University, Rutgers University and the University of California-Santa Barbara after spending 10 months surveying 606 four-year colleges and universities. The magazine looked at such key areas as the demographic diversity of faculty, students and staff; the commitment to diversity by the president and administration; diversity training; supplier diversity; and the share of freshmen of different racial, gender and lifestyle groups who graduate.

"At Cornell University, we honor our founder's wish to create a university where any person can find instruction in any study, and then take that concept further to create a higher education institution where all people from every background can study, learn and build a career in a positive, accepting environment," said Lynette Chappell-Williams, director of Cornell's Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality.

The DiversityInc recognition is the latest accolade that Cornell has received for its ongoing commitment to diversity. Cornell recently was named the "best employer for workers aged 50 and older" in the United States by AARP. Cornell also has won awards for its innovative human-resource programs for adoptive parents; female executives; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students; working mothers and veterans.