Affirmative Action


Emory University and Emory Healthcare are committed to affirmative action and fair employment.

professor teaching students

We believe that difference and excellence go hand in hand in our workplaces, classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. We are dedicated to principles of fairness and equity. We know that diversity is a source of strength that fosters a healthy community of education, research, and health care.

We are required to implement our written affirmative action plan (AAP), keep it on file, and update it annually in accordance with federal regulations. The process of maintaining this plan allows us the opportunity to identify areas for growth and change. Each year, the plan is shared with key stakeholders at the university and monitored for improvements.

The AAP is more than a shelf document. For federal contractors and subcontractors, affirmative action must be taken by covered employers to recruit and advance qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. Affirmative actions include training programs, outreach efforts, and other positive steps. These procedures are incorporated into our written personnel policies.

The implementation of this plan serves as guiding principles for the community. The plan allows us to:

  • Implement educational programs aimed at increasing diversity in our workplace;
  • Conduct federally mandated workforce analyses;
  • Develop affirmative action programs and best practices;
  • Document best efforts;
  • Guide the work we do to engage in self-analysis for the purpose of discovering barriers to equal employment opportunities; and
  • Monitor our progress over extended periods of time.

The university's written affirmative action plans for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are available for inspection upon request in the Department of Equity and Inclusion during normal business hours.