Adler University has been named to the inaugural America’s Best Colleges for Women list released by Newsweek in partnership with Gender Fair, recognizing U.S. institutions that demonstrate strong support for women students, faculty, and staff.
Adler University is ranked No. 39, with strong performance in leadership representation and institutional safety measures. The comprehensive ranking evaluates colleges across four critical categories: institutional leadership, equitable pay and policies, institutional safety, and opportunity — all essential dimensions of a supportive educational environment.
“As the first woman president of Adler University, I view this recognition as confirmation that intentional governance, rigorous evaluation of institutional conditions, and sustained investment in leadership pathways matter to educational quality and organizational culture,” said President Lisa Coleman, Ph.D. “This honor reflects our commitment to creating environments in which women’s scholarly and research contributions, learning, and global leadership are recognized, cultivated, and valued.”
The America’s Best Colleges for Women ranking is designed to help prospective students, families, and educators evaluate how effectively institutions serve and empower women throughout the academic experience and into their careers. The methodology draws on federally reported data, providing a new dimension of insight that complements existing college rankings.
This distinction builds on Adler University’s sustained record of institutional excellence and accountability. Under President Coleman’s leadership, Adler University was named a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recipient for the second consecutive year, reflecting continued progress in leadership, policy, and institutional practices that support an international academic community.
Together, these honors reflect the University’s long-term direction and its commitment to aligning mission, vision, and values with institutional practice. Grounded in Alfred Adler’s principle of social interest, Adler University advances leadership development and community partnerships, locally and globally, as central components of academic life, preparing graduates to engage complex systems and strengthen community well-being through applied, practice-based education.
“Our mission is fundamentally student-centered and grounded in Adlerian principles that link well-being to the social systems in which people live and work, ” said President Coleman. “We work to deliver on the promise of education for our students by designing curriculum and learning experiences that prepare global leaders to engage those systems with care, responsibility, and purpose, now and in the future. Partnership is central to this work. Through reciprocal, community-engaged relationships, we co-create learning environments that emphasize shared responsibility and collective impact, shaping conditions in which students — and the communities they serve — can thrive.”