Northwestern University has received the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The HEED Award is the only national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. This is the second consecutive year Northwestern has received this honor.
“This is a major recognition for Northwestern,” President Michael H. Schill said. “This award is a reflection of the dedicated work of so many who have been striving to advance diversity, equity and inclusion across our campuses and who continue to work toward building a better, stronger and more inclusive university community.”
The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) applied for the HEED Award on behalf of Northwestern. The HEED Award process consisted of a comprehensive application with data-driven questions about recruiting and retaining historically underrepresented students and faculty, the commitment of leadership to diversity and inclusion and resources and support in the campus community.
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Robin R. Means Coleman said that completing the 2022 HEED Award application enabled OIDI to further reflect on opportunities for growth, recognize best practices and continue its work toward establishing an institution-wide diversity strategic plan.
“We are extremely excited and proud that Northwestern has earned this honor for the second consecutive year,” Coleman said. “The HEED Award represents a crucial way in which Northwestern puts in the work of reaffirming and renewing its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. As such, Northwestern is held to an even higher standard of responsibility. We continue to take this responsibility seriously and commit to working in influential and strategic ways in the years to come.”
Northwestern received the 2022 award along with 102 other institutions in higher education.
This blog was originally published on September 29, 2022 at https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/09/northwestern-receives-heed-award-for-diversity-and-inclusion-efforts/