Colleges and universities face a procurement environment that’s shaped by inflation, political scrutiny of a variety of campus initiatives, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Building resilience and agility has become essential.
One strategy increasingly recognized as both mission-aligned and pragmatic is developing supplier inclusion in supply chains.
A strong focus on supplier inclusion ensures you reflect the values of supply chain excellence, innovation, and economic impact in local communities. A supplier inclusion program is more than just a policy; it’s a strategic approach to secure better outcomes by helping institutions create supply chains that reflect the multicultural communities in which they serve. .
A Supplier Inclusion program is a strategic initiative within an organization that aims to ensure that businesses owned by historically underrepresented or disadvantaged groups have equitable access to procurement opportunities. These groups often include:
For higher education, this means ensuring diverse suppliers are embedded into your procurement process and not just a check-the-box exercise.
Universities and colleges serve as economic anchors in their communities. The way they source goods and services has a ripple effect across local economies and supplier ecosystems.
A supplier inclusion program really matters.
Academic institutions are leaders in advancing equity. Embedding inclusion into procurement processes demonstrates that these values extend beyond classrooms and research labs into operational practices.
Data also shows that companies engaging diverse suppliers achieve a much greater return on their procurement investments. For colleges and universities, this can produce new, cost-effective approaches that support institutional missions and improve supply chain excellence.
“As the U.S. becomes increasingly multicultural, having a supplier base that reflects the diversity of your customer base is not just a moral obligation, it’s a strategic advantage,” said Ron Busby, Sr., President/ CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers. “Diverse suppliers bring unique perspectives, cultural insights, and innovative solutions that help companies better connect with and serve their markets.”
For higher education, resilience is also critical. Whether ensuring uninterrupted access to research equipment, maintaining consistent campus dining operations, or keeping up with student housing construction timelines, supplier inclusion directly supports continuity of service.
How do you get started or check your program to make sure it aligns with your mission? Here are some best practices that leading academic institutions follow.
Supplier inclusion programs must connect to your broader institutional goals. .
By providing training for internal departments and usergroups, procurement teams can help to creates a clear link between procurements strategy and the university’s mission.
Visible support from presidents, CFOs, and boards signal that inclusion is a priority.
When you adopt formal supplier inclusion policies, you embed competition into your procurement process. This institutional commitment ensures accountability and long-term sustainability.
Modern procurement tools are reshaping how institutions track and measure inclusion.
According to The Hackett Group’s 2025 findings, 61% of organizations are integrating more technology into their supplier diversity programs. For higher education, this means leveraging eProcurement platforms and analytics dashboards to automate spend tracking and monitor against goals.
Many diverse suppliers may not be familiar with higher education’s complex RFP processes. You can support these suppliers by offering introductions to internal departments, workshops, mentorship, and clear feedback.
By strengthening diverse suppliers, you can expand your pool of reliable partners and demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity.
Accountability is key.
Publishing supplier inclusion results through annual reports or dashboards signals to students, alumni, and funders that commitments are real. Transparency builds trust and sets benchmarks for continuous improvement.
Supplier inclusion programs are more than just procurement initiatives. They are strategic frameworks that allow your institution to live your values while strengthening operations. Your institution has the power to shape economic ecosystems and community futures. Building inclusive supply chains is one way to ensure that impact is both equitable and enduring.
E&I Cooperative Services has a wide range of cooperative contracts with certified diverse suppliers that can help you meet your supplier diversity and inclusion goals. Request a free consultation to discuss your needs and let us show you how we can help.