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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility

ORAU creates and fosters a workplace culture where DEIA is viewed as an essential business component to leverage the value of our varying strengths and differences. ORAU, intentionally and actively, champions DEIA thoughts, engagements, and experiences so the individual creative genius within each of us is realized. Our goal is to promote and provide an inclusive environment by building collaborative relationships and communication across employees, customers, and the community.

Our commitment to DEIA:

ORAU adheres to laws, regulations, and standards set forth by government entities to ensure the organization meets ethical and legal requirements. This includes operating as an Equal Employment Opportunities employer, developing and implementing Affirmative Action plans, monitoring and reporting internal data to support EEO-1 filings, Vets-4212, and quarterly and annual measuring of diversity accomplishments.

In addition to accessible online products and services that serve both internal and external audiences, ORAU provides reasonable accommodations to aid employees in performing their job duties. Facilities and on-campus access have been updated to support ergonomics and those with special needs.

ORAU actively monitors and recruits the employment of veterans and individuals with disabilities.

We also promote a healthy work-life balance by offering a variety of flexible work schedules and environments that maximize accessibility. Employee resource groups play an active role in establishing an inclusive culture at ORAU, and diverse employee groups are regularly surveyed to measure employee engagement, job satisfaction, leadership, communication, personal accountability, culture, and the work environment.

At ORAU, employees are offered a broad range of resources, including employee assistance and wellness programs; an on-site occupational health nurse; an ombudsperson for confidential reporting; a mentoring program where employees can share knowledge and enhance their professional relationships; and an Employees' Club that provides a means to foster morale, facilitate social interaction among employees, and recognize significant events relating to its members.

The Diversity Council, an anchor at ORAU for more than 30 years, promotes awareness of the importance of diversity in the workplace and provides employees an easily accessible alternative channel to ask questions, express concerns. and/or discuss existing/potential problems related to diversity matters. It serves as an educational and informational group to encourage the inclusion of all the ways we differ.

ORAU celebrates differences by hosting and promoting cultural heritage activities and events and having a holiday calendar that recognizes and allows for both federal and cultural holidays.

Employees are also encouraged to participate in peer-to-peer recognition programs that reward outstanding teamwork and individual performance.

ORAU continually works to increase employee awareness and understanding of DEIA through required annual training and educating Diversity Council members on how to serve as a DEIA resource for employees.

Employees are encouraged to participate in knowledge sharing opportunities for both professional and personal development, and are provided information to assist in career building and advancement.

ORAU is an active participant in the community, providing resources to and financially supporting a wide range of education-related minority groups and organizations. Additionally, ORAU supports community-based initiatives, such as the Extreme Classroom Makeover, to advance STEM education.

ORAU makes every effort to identify, qualify, and utilize companies in the following categories in the execution of its business:

  • Small businesses (SB)
  • Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses
  • Small disadvantaged businesses (SDB)
  • Women-owned small businesses (WOSB)
  • Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB)
  • Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB)
  • Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
  • Other minority educational institutions (MEIs)

ORAU also seeks colleges and universities (i.e., Historical Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs], Minority Serving Institutions [MSIs], and Hispanic Serving Institutions [HSIs]) to support their development as world class research institutions. In so doing, ORAU is helping to provide access to elite research opportunities to minorities and the underserved, and expanding the pipeline of potential employees from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

ORAU places a strong emphasis on including diverse groups for research opportunities. Grants and funding avenues are available to assist in developing research partnerships in key disciplines, including ORAU-Directed Research and Development (ODRD) grants, the Innovation Partnerships Grant Program, and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards. All ORAU staff, regardless of research experience, background, or department are encouraged to participate, and are partnered with researchers at ORAU member institutions.

Impact Areas

Hear about the importance of DEIA from some of our employees:

Jennifer Clary; Environment, Safety, & Health

"Diversity is recognizing, celebrating, and empowering each person’s uniqueness and taking the opportunity to learn and grow together. I believe that diversity allows for culture of togetherness. It’s also about learning from the knowledge gained to spark innovation together. All of these things are demonstrated in ORAU’s commitment to diversity, which in turn is what makes ORAU such a great place to work."

Jennifer Clary, ORAU ES&H Specialist

Brandon Carter, Resource Center for Performance Excellence

"When a company not only wants diverse people in all segments of the organization, but values the diversity different people bring, the company gathers a variety of perspectives that results in faster problem solving and better decision making. Creating a more accepting culture has a strong positive effect on individuals and connects everyone in our company."

Brandon Carter, Resource Center for Performance Excellence

Susie Morgan, STEM Workforce Development

"When I hear 'diversity,' I think fun! Not boring, but interesting! It means there will be variety and a focus on what makes us each unique. Diversity means all people and ways of thinking will be considered. I am always looking to celebrate differences as they are what make life interesting. It would be a boring world if we were all the same."

Susie Morgan, STEM Workforce Development

Diversity awards and distinctions

ORAU has consistently been recognized as a "best employer" for hiring and retaining qualified and diverse employees.

Best of the Best award logo

Diversity Council 

For more than 30 years, ORAU’s Diversity Council has provided awareness of the importance of diversity in the workplace and communicated the importance of respect for all employees. The network of 25 Council members, who represent all levels and locations of the organization, provides employees an easily accessible, alternative channel to ask questions, express concerns, or discuss existing or potential problems regarding diversity matters such as harassment, and/or discrimination of any ORAU employee on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, gender, gender orientation, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or special disabled or veteran status.

Members of ORAU's Diversity Council