Bentley University is one of the top 10 women-led businesses in Massachusetts, according to a new ranking by The Commonwealth Institute that credited Bentley’s commitment to workplace diversity, strong management and innovative curriculum. Bentley, which is led by President Gloria C. Larson, was #8 on the list.
Under Larson’s leadership, Bentley has transitioned from a regional business college to a nationally recognized, highly ranked university. For the past decade, Larson has expanded Bentley’s dual commitment to business and the liberal arts while strengthening the university’s focus on technology and hands-on learning. Her support for career planning as a crucial aspect of the college experience for every student beginning in their first year helped Bentley’s Career Services to the #1 ranking in the United States by The Princeton Review.
In 2011, Larson founded the university’s Center for Women and Business, which focuses on advancing women from the classroom to the boardroom, offering programs that train young women to be leaders as well as support for companies looking to promote and retain top female talent. She has led Bentley’s student-centered, ROI-focused approach, preparing students with the skills needed for a rewarding and successful career and life. Her new book, PreparedU: How Innovative Colleges Drive Student Success, describes how this approach provides the next generation of leaders with the college experience they need and deserve.
“Bentley’s recognition as one of the top women-led businesses in Massachusetts demonstrates the importance of diversity and inclusion in any workplace, and we’re honored by the selection,” said Larson. “It’s so important that we publicly acknowledge women-led organizations to provide a role model for rising women leaders. It is easier to be what you can see.”
How the ranking was conducted
The Commonwealth Institute collaborated with the Boston Globe to create the ranking of the top 100 profit and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts with female leaders. Rankings are based on revenue, operating budget, and an inclusive formula that looks at number of full-time employees in the state, workplace and management diversity, and innovative projects.
About Bentley
Bentley University is one of the nation’s leading business schools, dedicated to preparing a new kind of business leader with the technical skills, global perspective, and ethical standards required to make a difference in an ever-changing world. Bentley’s diverse arts and sciences program combined with an advanced business curriculum prepares graduates to make an impact in their chosen fields. The university enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Master’s degree recipients from Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business are among the highest paid in the country, ranking #4 in PayScale’s College Salary Report.